Champat Rai resigns as Ram Temple Trust General Secretary amid Ayodhya Donation Row: Sources

Champat Rai has resigned as the General Secretary of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust amid the ongoing probe into the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Trustee Anil Mishra has also stepped down, with both citing moral responsibility, according to sources.

The resignations come a day after Uttar Pradesh Police arrested eight people in connection with the alleged siphoning of devotees' donations. The accused include temple staff involved in cash counting and handling donation collections. An FIR has been registered on charges including theft, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.

Sources said Champat Rai chose to step aside to ensure a free and fair investigation and to avoid any perception of influencing the ongoing probe. Notably, there are no allegations against Rai personally in the FIR filed by the police.

The controversy escalated after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government, prompting swift action. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has assured that the investigation will identify those responsible and that no guilty person will be spared.

The alleged donation irregularities have triggered political reactions, with opposition parties demanding greater accountability and transparency in the management of funds donated by devotees to the Ram Temple.