Temple Trust accepts Champat Rai's resignation (Img: Dynamite News)
Ayodhya: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Sunday accepted the resignation of its General Secretary, Champat Rai, amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The decision was taken during a crucial meeting of the Trust, where members also appointed Bajrang Bagra as the new General Secretary, according to sources.
Champat Rai had submitted his resignation on June 26 after the alleged donation theft case gained momentum. The investigation has so far led to the arrest of eight people, including Rai's former driver, Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu, who is among the key accused.
Rai had stepped down on what sources described as "moral grounds" as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) continued its probe into alleged irregularities in the counting and handling of temple donations.
The Trust meeting, chaired by President Mahant Nritya Gopal Das and convened by Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri, is considered one of the most significant since the Trust was established in 2020.
Apart from accepting Rai's resignation and appointing his successor, the meeting is expected to deliberate on the SIT's findings, future administrative arrangements and possible governance reforms. Senior trustees, government representatives and legal experts are attending the meeting.
