'I'm not at fault': Ram Temple treasurer refuses to step down, blames SBI employees

Ayodhya: Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Treasurer Govind Dev Giri Maharaj has ruled out stepping down over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, insisting he bears no personal responsibility for the incident.

Speaking to reporters in Pune on Tuesday, Giri Maharaj dismissed reports suggesting he was planning to resign, describing them as "malicious". He maintained that his duty was to ensure such an incident never happens again rather than leave his post.

"I never said I would resign. I am a follower of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and I am not one of those who run away. When the time demands that I should fight, it is not in our dharma to quit the field." He said his "penance" would be to strengthen systems and prevent any recurrence of the alleged fraud.

Govind Giri blames SBI for security lapses

The trust treasurer placed responsibility on the State Bank of India (SBI), arguing that all those arrested in connection with the alleged scam were employees appointed by the bank to manage cash collected from temple donation boxes.

According to Giri Maharaj, while some appointments may have been made through recommendations, the responsibility for verifying backgrounds and ensuring operational integrity rested with SBI.

"All those arrested so far are SBI employees. They were deployed by SBI, not by the trust. Even if some appointments were made on recommendations, it was SBI's responsibility to verify their credentials. SBI is one of the country's leading banks."

He further added: "They are not preachers; they are bank officials. So they should have remained vigilant."

Alleged embezzlement involved cash donations

Giri Maharaj clarified that the alleged fraud involved cash collected from donation boxes and not funds deposited into the trust's bank accounts.

He estimated that around ₹3 crore may have been siphoned off, while emphasising that the figure was only an estimate and not an official assessment.

The treasurer also expressed confidence in the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and welcomed the Supreme Court's monitoring of the investigation.

Champat Rai's resignation was voluntary, says treasurer

Responding to questions about former general secretary Champat Rai, Giri Maharaj said Rai had resigned voluntarily and that the resignation automatically came into effect under the trust's constitution once it was submitted.

While describing Rai as "negligent", he rejected suggestions that the former general secretary had been made a scapegoat.

Speaking about his own role, Giri Maharaj said: "I do not believe I am at fault. But since my name is associated with the post of treasurer, I deeply regret that this happened."

Trust announces stricter safeguards

Calling the alleged embezzlement "a crime against Lord Ram", Giri Maharaj said the trust has already implemented several new security measures to prevent future thefts.

The safeguards include:

• Pocketless uniforms for staff handling cash.
• Elimination of CCTV blind spots.
• Cash counting at floor level for better monitoring.
• Mandatory presence of two trust representatives and two SBI officials during counting.
• Frisking of personnel involved in handling donations.

The trust hopes these measures will improve transparency and strengthen oversight of donation management.

Gold donation rumours dismissed

Giri Maharaj also rejected reports claiming that gold offerings worth ₹1,400 crore had gone missing from the temple.

He described those reports as "completely false" and said the trust has publicly displayed a register containing details of 2,926 valuable offerings, allowing devotees to verify the records themselves.

He added that the trust would not release a white paper on the issue while the SIT investigation remains in progress.