Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra have resigned, taking what sources described as moral responsibility following the alleged Ram Mandir donation misappropriation case. Their resignations came after the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) preliminary findings reportedly pointed to serious lapses in the management and monitoring of donations offered by devotees at the Ayodhya temple.
The controversy escalated after an FIR was registered based on the SIT’s recommendation. The complaint was lodged by trust member Krishna Mohan, who joined the trust in September 2025. Soon after the FIR was filed, Uttar Pradesh Police arrested all eight accused named in the case. They face charges including theft, criminal breach of trust, criminal conspiracy and offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
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The Uttar Pradesh government had formed a three-member SIT on June 13 to investigate alleged irregularities in the collection, storage and accounting of temple donations. According to sources, the preliminary report highlighted shortcomings in employee verification, CCTV monitoring, security checks and the transfer of donations from the temple to the trust office and banks. Investigators are also examining records related to gold, silver and other valuables after reported discrepancies in documentation.
The issue has also triggered political reactions. BJP worker Dr Rajnish Singh said the resignations alone were not enough and demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. He reiterated his earlier demand for a high-level inquiry and greater transparency in the trust’s financial records.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also raised questions over accountability, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reaffirmed the state’s zero-tolerance approach towards any misuse of public faith. The SIT is expected to submit its final report soon, with further legal or administrative action likely to depend on its findings.
