Ram Temple Trust Seized Rs 80 Lakh Cash Prior to FIR, Letter Shows

The controversy surrounding the alleged theft of donations from the Ram Temple has taken a new turn, with sources indicating that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had recovered the allegedly stolen cash from the accused before the Ayodhya Police formally registered an FIR. The development is based on a letter reportedly written by the Trust's then general secretary, Champat Rai, in which he stated that the recovery of the money had taken place before the matter entered the public domain. The case has intensified scrutiny of the Trust's handling of the alleged theft and its internal response.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Rai's letter claimed that the cash had already been seized by the Trust before police action began. The communication is also said to have distanced Rai from the Trust's operational responsibilities while an inquiry into the controversy was pending. The letter has become a key document in the ongoing debate over the sequence of events and the manner in which the alleged theft was handled before law enforcement became formally involved.

Ayodhya Police have stated that nearly ₹80 lakh in cash was allegedly stolen from the temple's donation boxes. The police investigation into the case remains underway, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and the recovery of the money. The revelation that the Trust may have recovered the cash before the FIR was lodged has prompted questions about the timeline of events and whether the matter should have been reported to the police at an earlier stage.

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The controversy has also placed senior Trust functionaries under increased public and administrative scrutiny. Trustee Anil Mishra and former general secretary Champat Rai have faced questions over the Trust's handling of the incident, although no official findings have attributed wrongdoing to either individual. The inquiry is expected to examine the roles and responsibilities of those involved, as well as the procedures followed after the alleged theft was detected.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust oversees the management of the Ram Temple, including the handling of donations received from devotees. Given the large volume of contributions made to the temple, the alleged theft has drawn significant public attention and heightened calls for transparency and accountability in the management of temple funds. Investigators are also expected to review existing security and cash-handling protocols to determine whether additional safeguards are required.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the final conclusions of the investigation, and the matter remains under inquiry. The reported contents of Champat Rai's letter are likely to form part of the evidence examined as investigators seek to establish the complete sequence of events, including when the alleged theft was discovered, how the cash was recovered, and why the police complaint was registered after the reported recovery of the funds.

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