As Ram temple trust targets overhaul, Rai breaks silence
RAI claimed that after the SIT submits its final report, he would respond point by point to the issues raised against him
On Tuesday, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust confirmed that former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Dr Anil Mishra are no longer part of the Trust. The announcement follows a meeting of the trust on Monday, July 6, where it accepted the resignations of Rai and trustee Mishra. At the same meeting, the Trust named Krishna Mohan, a new trustee, as Interim General Secretary. A retired Indian Forest Service officer from Maharashtra and an RSS leader, originally from Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, Mohan brings administrative experience to the position.
Trust Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri explained that under the trust’s rules, resignations take effect as soon as they are submitted, leaving no room for delay. He added the trust may decide to make the role of Mohan permanent at a later stage. He also said the next meeting of the trust on July 22, 2026, where the SIT report is scheduled to be discussed, could address permanent appointments and fill other open positions.
Meanwhile, Rai on Tuesday, in a handwritten letter addressed to devotees of Ram, claimed he would respond to all allegations of embezzlement of donations after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submits its final report. Rai further claimed that baseless allegations had been levelled against him. Rai wrote that he observed maun dharan (silence) over the allegations and noted the SIT’s preliminary report had been presented at the trust’s meeting and has since been made public.
He wrote that after the SIT submits its final report, he would respond point by point to the issues raised and that truth would come before the public.
Rai and Mishra stepped down from the trust last week as the SIT continued its investigations.
The Uttar Pradesh Government constituted an SIT to investigate the matter, which led to an FIR and the arrest of several individuals involved in the donation-counting process. The trust said any theft must be investigated and punished, but claims of large-scale missing valuables are unfounded. It also displayed donated items, including a gold Ramayana and other artefacts, and said a register of around 2,800 donated items exists and all are accounted for.
The Trust has announced plans to improve its administrative and financial systems. This includes possibly appointing a Chief Executive Officer and reviewing how donations are managed. A small committee will suggest changes to help prevent future problems.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the construction and running of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, has been in the national spotlight since the temple was consecrated. Swami Govind Dev Giri asked devotees and the public not to believe rumours, to check records themselves, and to trust the judicial process. “Theft is theft,” he said, emphasising that those responsible must face justice and that the controversy should not weaken the faith of Ram bhakts.
As the trust prepares for its next meeting, its main goal is to restore strong governance and ensure the temple remains a symbol of unity, devotion, and transparent management.
