Ram Mandir Trust accepts Champat Rai, Anil Mishra resignations amid donation row

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has accepted the resignations of its General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra in the wake of the controversy surrounding the alleged theft of temple donations. The move comes as the Trust attempts to address concerns over its internal functioning and reassure devotees about the management of donations.

Following a meeting that continued for more than three hours at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex in Ayodhya on Monday, the Trust named newly inducted trustee Krishna Mohan as the Interim General Secretary.

It also announced that a comprehensive review of its administrative processes would be undertaken.

The Trust said it would convene again on July 22 after receiving the final report of the Special Investigation Team probing the alleged theft.

The next meeting is also expected to finalise appointments to key administrative positions and fill vacancies among the trustees.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Trust treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri said the controversy had caused immense anguish within the organisation.

According to him, the issue was not merely about the value of the alleged theft but about the damage caused to the institution's reputation and the confidence of devotees.

The Trust also rejected allegations that valuables donated by devotees had gone missing.

To support its claim, officials produced the register containing records of donated articles and maintained that every item listed was safe and accounted for.

During the press conference, the Trust displayed several donated objects, including a gold Ramayana, symbolic footprints of Lord Ram, a necklace and an idol of Kagbhusundi.

Officials said these items had been showcased because they were among the articles mentioned in allegations circulating publicly, adding that they were presented only as representative samples.

The Trust maintained that its inventory contains details of around 2,800 donated items and insisted that none of them is missing.

It said the ongoing review and forthcoming decisions are aimed at strengthening transparency and reinforcing public faith in the institution.