Champat Rai, Anil Mishra resign from Ram Janmabhoomi Trust amid Ram Temple donation controversy
Amid the controversy over the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra have resigned, ANI sources said on Friday. The two leaders are understood to have stepped down, taking what sources described as "moral responsibility" after an FIR was registered in connection with the alleged embezzlement of temple donations.
The resignations come at a politically sensitive time, with the Uttar Pradesh government launching a formal investigation into the allegations and the opposition intensifying its attack on the BJP over the issue.
Why did Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resign?
According to sources, the resignations follow the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) in the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case. While neither leader has been named as an accused in the FIR, they are said to have resigned on moral grounds as the probe gathers pace.
The case relates to allegations that a substantial amount of money donated by devotees at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was siphoned off through an organised network.
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What is the Ram Temple donation controversy?
The controversy erupted after former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey alleged that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore collected as offerings at the Ram Mandir had been misappropriated.
Following the allegations, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust requested a probe, prompting the Uttar Pradesh government to constitute a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 14 to examine the claims.
Based on the SIT's preliminary findings, an FIR has now been registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61 and 3(5).
Who has been named in the FIR?
The FIR names eight people:
- Anukalp Mishra
- Lavkush Mishra
- Avinash Shukla
- Tinnu Yadav
- Manish Yadav
Others yet to be identified
The investigation is expected to examine the handling of donations made by devotees and determine whether any financial irregularities occurred.
Yogi Adityanath defends probe, attacks Opposition
Responding to the controversy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused opposition parties of attempting to derive political mileage from the issue while asserting that his government would pursue the investigation without compromise.
Addressing a public event in Deoria, the Chief Minister said the state would follow a "zero-tolerance" policy against anyone found guilty of damaging public faith. He also maintained that the truth would emerge through the SIT investigation.
Adityanath criticised political parties that had earlier opposed the construction of the Ram Temple, alleging that the same groups were now using the controversy to target the Ayodhya temple. He urged those making allegations to submit evidence before the SIT instead of engaging in political rhetoric.
"The government's intention is clear..., everything will come before everyone. But I will appeal once again: do not test Ram devotees, stop tampering with their faith. If there are no facts or evidence, then stop the accusations and counter-accusations, and if there is evidence, then present it before the SIT," the Chief Minister said.
With ANI inputs