Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, has been asked to resign and take moral responsibility in connection with a donation theft case, sources revealed on June 26, 2026. The case involves the alleged misappropriation of funds donated for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Details of the Donation Theft Case
According to sources, an internal audit uncovered irregularities in the handling of donations meant for the temple. The trust had collected crores of rupees from devotees worldwide, but a portion of these funds was allegedly diverted. The exact amount involved has not been disclosed, but sources indicate it runs into several lakhs.
Rai, a close aide of Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, has been serving as the trust's general secretary since its inception in 2020. He has been instrumental in overseeing the temple's construction, which is expected to be completed by 2027.
Call for Resignation
Sources said that senior trust members and some saints have demanded Rai's resignation to uphold the trust's credibility. "We cannot compromise on transparency, especially when it comes to donations from the faithful," a source quoted a senior saint as saying. The trust is considering forming a committee to investigate the matter further.
Rai has not yet commented on the allegations. However, sources close to him said he is willing to cooperate with the investigation but has refused to step down, arguing that the allegations are baseless.
Impact on Temple Construction
The controversy comes at a critical juncture as the temple construction is in full swing. The trust has raised over Rs 3,000 crore through donations. Any delay or disruption in the trust's operations could affect the timeline.
Political implications are also significant, as the Ram Temple is a flagship project of the BJP-led central government. Opposition parties have seized the opportunity to question the government's handling of the trust.
Sources indicated that the trust's top brass, including Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, is meeting to decide Rai's fate. A final decision is expected within a week.
