Two members of the Ram Temple construction trust in Ayodhya resigned on Friday, following the arrest of eight individuals in connection with a donation theft case. The resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra come as the trust faces scrutiny over the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for the temple's construction.
Resignations Amid Theft Investigation
Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and Anil Mishra, a trustee, submitted their resignations to the trust's president, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das. The resignations were accepted, according to trust officials. The move is seen as an attempt to maintain the trust's credibility after the theft case came to light.
Eight Arrested in Donation Theft
Earlier this week, the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested eight people, including two temple employees, for allegedly stealing donations from the temple's collection boxes. The arrests were made after a complaint was filed by the trust administration. Police recovered a significant amount of cash and some gold ornaments from the accused. The investigation revealed that the theft had been ongoing for several months.
Trust's Response
In a statement, the trust said that the resignations were voluntary and aimed at ensuring a fair investigation. "The trust is committed to transparency and will not tolerate any wrongdoing. The resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra demonstrate their dedication to the temple's cause," the statement read. The trust also announced that it would implement stricter measures to prevent future thefts.
Background of the Trust
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was formed in February 2020 to oversee the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The trust comprises 15 members, including religious leaders and government officials. The temple's construction began in August 2020 and is expected to be completed by 2024. The project has received donations from millions of devotees across India and abroad.
Impact on Temple Construction
The resignation of two key trust members is unlikely to affect the temple construction timeline, according to trust sources. The construction work is progressing as planned, with the foundation stone laid in August 2020. The trust has assured that all funds are being used appropriately and that the donation theft case is an isolated incident.
