Ayodhya: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is set to hold a crucial meeting on Monday that could shape the future administrative structure of the Ram Temple management, with trustees expected to deliberate on the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra amid the ongoing donation embezzlement controversy.

It will be the first formal gathering of the Trust since allegations of misappropriation of donation funds surfaced, triggering parallel investigations by both a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the police.

According to sources, one of the key issues before the Trust will be whether to formally accept the resignations submitted by Rai and Mishra. The two functionaries stepped down after their names emerged in connection with the controversy, although neither has been named in any FIR so far.

The deliberations are scheduled to take place at Mani Ram Chhawni, the Ayodhya monastery headed by Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das. Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri has invited all regular and ex-officio members to participate in the meeting.

Among the ex-officio members expected to be part of the discussions are senior government officials, including Union Home Ministry Additional Secretary Prashant Lokhande, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Prasad, Ayodhya District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi and former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nripendra Mishra.

Sources indicated that Nritya Gopal Das, who was recently discharged from a Lucknow hospital after treatment for health complications, is likely to attend the meeting. Senior trustee and eminent jurist K Parasaran may join virtually due to age-related health constraints.

READ MORE: Are small employees taking the fall? Fresh allegations surface in Ram Mandir donation case

If the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra are accepted, trustees are expected to discuss possible changes to the Trust’s administrative framework. Sources said the meeting may also examine the responsibilities and future role of special invitee Gopal Rao.

The Trust currently faces a leadership gap following the resignations of Rai and Mishra and the recent demise of trustee Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra. With no serving vice-president at present, discussions on strengthening governance mechanisms are expected to gain importance.

Another major item on the agenda is likely to be the proposal to appoint a chief executive officer for the management and day-to-day administration of the Ram Temple complex, a move that could introduce a more structured operational system.

SIT findings likely to be discussed

Trust members are also expected to receive an update on the ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donation funds. The Special Investigation Team, tasked with conducting an administrative inquiry, continues its probe after its tenure was extended until the end of July.

Parallel to the SIT investigation, police are pursuing a criminal inquiry following the registration of an FIR based on a complaint filed by the Trust itself.

Sources familiar with the investigation said statements of Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and special invitee Gopal Rao have already been recorded by investigators. However, no criminal case has been registered against any of the three Trust functionaries at this stage.

Financial reports to come up for approval

Apart from the controversy and governance-related discussions, trustees are expected to review and approve financial documents for the 2025-26 fiscal year, including the unaudited income and expenditure statement, balance sheet and related accounts.

Special invitee Gopal Rao confirmed that all members had been informed about the meeting and expressed hope that every trustee would participate in the deliberations.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust currently consists of 11 regular members, including president Nritya Gopal Das, Vasudevanand Saraswati, Vishwaprasannatirth, Parmanand Giri, treasurer Govind Dev Giri, Krishna Mohan, Dinendra Das, and K Parasaran.

With PTI inputs