Allegations of financial irregularities in donations collected for the Ram Mandir intensified on Friday after Uttar Pradesh Police arrested eight individuals linked to the temple's management and recovered nearly ₹80 lakh during searches conducted at their residences. The controversy deepened further with reports that Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and senior trust member Anil Mishra had resigned amid the ongoing investigation, although there was no official confirmation of their resignations at the time of publication.
The arrests came a day after the Uttar Pradesh Police registered a first information report (FIR) based on a complaint filed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The FIR named an aide of Champat Rai along with seven others over alleged irregularities in the collection and handling of donations meant for the Ram Temple. Police subsequently carried out searches at multiple locations, recovering around ₹80 lakh in cash, as part of the investigation into the alleged financial misconduct.
According to people familiar with the matter, Champat Rai submitted his resignation to Trust chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, stating that he was stepping down to ensure a free and fair investigation and to safeguard the sanctity of Lord Ram. While denying any personal wrongdoing, Rai reportedly said he was accepting moral responsibility in view of the controversy. Senior trust member Anil Mishra is also said to have resigned. However, neither Rai nor Nripendra Misra, chairman of the Ram Temple construction committee, was available for comment.
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The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), with which Champat Rai is associated as a vice president, said it had no knowledge of his resignation. The absence of an official statement from the temple trust or its senior office-bearers has led to continued speculation over the leadership changes, even as investigators pursue the financial probe. Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific charges against each of the arrested individuals or whether additional arrests are likely.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was constituted to oversee the construction and management of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya following the Supreme Court's landmark 2019 verdict. Since the launch of the temple project, the trust has received substantial donations from devotees across India and abroad, making transparency in financial management a matter of significant public interest.
The latest developments have cast a shadow over one of India's most prominent religious projects, with the investigation expected to examine the handling of donation funds and the role of those named in the FIR. Officials have indicated that the probe will continue based on the evidence collected, while the trust is yet to issue a comprehensive statement addressing the allegations and the reported resignations.
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