Nripendra Misra calls viral Ram temple letter fabricated

Ram temple construction committee chairman Nripendra Misra on Friday, August 21, dismissed as “fabricated” an unsigned letter circulating on social media that allegedly details his role in decisions concerning the construction and management of the Ram temple complex in Ayodhya.

Speaking to reporters in Ayodhya, Misra said he had not seen the purported nine-page letter, attributed to former Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai. He accused the media of creating controversy and spreading what he described as false claims.

The digitally typed letter, dated August 18, surfaced on social media on Thursday and was subsequently reported by several media outlets. PTI said repeated attempts to contact Rai on Thursday and Friday to verify whether he had written the letter received no response.

The letter claims Misra, who was appointed chairman of the temple construction committee, played a key role in selecting construction agencies and making decisions related to the temple and the 70-acre complex. It alleges that Larsen & Toubro (L&T) was selected for temple construction on Misra’s recommendation, while Noida-based Design Associate was chosen for the design and construction of other buildings.

It also alleges that Misra brought people of his choice into the construction committee and that former NBCC chairman Anoop Mittal regularly attended its meetings and advised Misra on engineering matters. The letter further claims Mittal’s son, civil engineer Yash Mittal, attended meetings and typed their proceedings.

According to the purported letter, the construction committee met monthly and, for a period, every 15 days, with Misra allegedly treating himself as the chief authority on construction-related decisions. It also credits him with overseeing the temple’s construction, which it says began in June 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic and was completed in June 2026.

The contents of the unsigned letter could not be independently verified. A VHP functionary told PTI that some details appeared to be known possibly only to Champat Rai, but said the authenticity of the letter could not be confirmed.

Rai, who is also a VHP vice president, has become active in Ayodhya again after resigning as Trust general secretary amid the donation theft row. Several seers have reportedly sought his reinstatement following a July 22 meeting involving seers from various groups, temples and mutts.