Trust Accepts Resignations After Theft Allegations
The management of the Ayodhya Ram Temple has announced major leadership changes after allegations of theft involving donations collected from devotees. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust accepted the resignations of its General Secretary, Champat Rai, and another senior official, Anil Mishra, during its latest meeting.
The decision came after police registered a case on 25 June following allegations of embezzlement linked to the counting of temple donations. The incident has raised serious concerns because the temple receives large amounts of cash, gold, silver, and jewelry from millions of devotees every year.
New Interim Leadership Announced
Trust Treasurer Govind Dev Giri confirmed that retired forest officer Krishna Mohan will serve as the interim General Secretary. Mohan is also associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The trust also created a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position to strengthen administration. A three member committee will recommend suitable candidates for the role.
Krishna Mohan said his first priority is to identify every weakness in the donation management system. He also promised to introduce stronger safeguards so that similar incidents do not happen again. According to him, the allegations have damaged the trust’s reputation and reduced public confidence.
Temple Received Billions in Donations
The trust revealed that the temple received donations worth 5.82 billion rupees from devotees up to 31 March 2026. During the same period, it spent 3.19 billion rupees on the temple’s maintenance, development, and daily operations.
Officials explained that the trust follows a structured process to collect, sort, and count donations received from visitors.
Investigation Continues as Police Arrest Suspects
The controversy began after a former accounts supervisor claimed that irregularities were taking place during the counting of donations. He alleged that the trust dismissed him after he raised concerns internally.
His allegations soon developed into a major political issue. Opposition parties questioned how cash and valuable offerings were being handled. Several petitions also reached the High Court and the Supreme Court, requesting an independent investigation by federal authorities.
The Uttar Pradesh government later formed a three member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the allegations. Based on the SIT’s interim findings, Ayodhya police registered an embezzlement case against eight individuals. Police arrested all eight suspects and continue questioning them.
Although authorities have not officially confirmed the amount stolen, a former local legislator has claimed that more than 70 million rupees may be missing.
Trust Says Individuals Betrayed Public Faith
Govind Dev Giri said the trust’s biggest concern is not only the financial loss but also the damage caused to the faith of millions of devotees.
He stressed that the temple trustees themselves did not commit the theft. Instead, he said that individuals who had earned the confidence of senior officials betrayed that trust.
According to Giri, the construction of the Ram Temple marked a historic moment for millions of Hindus. Therefore, allegations of theft from donation boxes during the counting process have caused deep disappointment and embarrassment.
The trust plans to hold its next meeting on 22 July and expects the police to submit their final investigation report before then.
Why the Ayodhya Ram Temple Matters
The Ayodhya Ram Temple was inaugurated in January 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It has become one of India’s most significant religious destinations and attracts nearly 50 million visitors every year.
The temple stands at a site that many Hindus believe is the birthplace of Lord Ram. It replaced the 16th century Babri Mosque, which was demolished by Hindu activists in 1992. That demolition led to widespread communal riots across India, resulting in the deaths of nearly 2,000 people.
As investigations continue, the donation theft case remains under close public and political scrutiny. Many devotees now await the final police report and the trust’s next steps to restore confidence in the temple’s administration.
