In brief
In the wake of allegations that millions of rupees donated to the Ram temple were stolen, the trustees’ board has reshuffled its leadership. General Secretary Champat Rai and another official stepped down, replaced by interim and new appointments. A Special Investigation Team has recorded statements, and police are questioning suspects. The trust claims it will conduct a thorough audit and restore public trust amid nationwide scrutiny.
The trustees of Ayodhya’s new Ram temple are stepping aside after claims that large sums donated by devotees were siphoned off.
General Secretary Champat Rai resigned last week and the trust named retired forest officer Krishna Mohan as interim general secretary. An additional council post for chief executive officer was created and a panel will nominate a suitable candidate.
The trust had previously denied all allegations. A three‑person Special Investigation Team, formed by the state government, compiled an interim report that led the police to register an embezzlement case. Eight persons were arraigned for alleged theft of donations and jewels.
Treasurer Govind Dev Giri said the shrine had received 5.82 bn rupees ($61 m) from devotees up to March 2026. It spent 3.19 bn rupees on temple upkeep (around $33 m). The exact amount lost remains unresolved, but a former city legislator claims over 7 bn rupees ($739 k) vanished.
The allegations were first raised by a former accounts supervisor who had been terminated after he reported irregularities. Opposition parties and the government sides have demanded a federal police probe. Court petitions seek court‑monitored investigations.
Giri said the trust’s primary aim is to repair the damage to devotees’ faith. “The atmosphere created by this betrayal has hurt all of us,” he stressed. The next trust meeting will be held on 22 July with the expectation that police will submit a final report by then.
