Champat Rai Responds to Ram Temple Donation Theft. (Image: Internet)
Ayodhya: Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra General Secretary Champat Rai has issued his first public response to the controversy surrounding the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. In an open letter addressed to devotees, Rai denied all allegations against him and said he would present a detailed reply after the Uttar Pradesh Special Investigation Team (SIT) submits its final report.
Sharing his statement on X, Rai said the allegations related to the donation counting process have been circulating since June 6. He explained that he had chosen not to respond publicly until now, as the investigation was still underway.
Referring to the SIT probe, Rai said a preliminary report, originally intended to remain confidential, had entered the public domain. He maintained that he would answer every allegation point by point after the investigation concludes, expressing confidence that the truth would emerge.
Rai also highlighted his four-and-a-half decades of public service as a full-time pracharak, saying his professional life has always remained transparent.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust confirmed that the resignations of Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra were accepted during its meeting on Monday. Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri said both leaders have officially ceased to be members of the Trust.
The Trust is expected to consider appointing retired Indian Forest Service officer Krishna Mohan as the new General Secretary during its meeting scheduled for July 22.
Meanwhile, the SIT's preliminary findings have indicated repeated instances of alleged theft during the counting of temple donations. According to the report, CCTV footage recorded between April 27 and June 5 allegedly showed employees concealing cash inside their clothes, shoes and pockets on multiple occasions.
Investigators identified nearly 70 suspicious incidents and highlighted several security lapses, including the absence of staff frisking, inadequate monitoring of personal belongings and deficiencies in documentation during cash counting.
The preliminary report has named six individuals whose alleged involvement has been established. The SIT has also recommended a detailed financial investigation after detecting bank transactions and cash deposits that were allegedly disproportionate to the accused employees' known sources of income. The investigation remains ongoing, with the final report still awaited.
