Ram Mandir donation theft case: Trust shifts key meeting to temple complex
The Ram Mandir Trust has shifted Monday's key meeting to the Ram Janmabhoomi complex in Ayodhya. The deliberations are expected to cover the donation probe, pending resignations and the temple's future management.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has shifted the venue of its crucial meeting scheduled for Monday, with the gathering now set to take place inside the Ram Janmabhoomi complex instead of the Sant Maniram Das Chhawani in Ayodhya.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 3 pm and is expected to deliberate on several important matters related to the Trust and the administration of the Ram Mandir. Trust office-bearers and members are expected to attend the meeting, for which preparations have already begun within the temple complex.
The venue change comes at a time when the Trust is under scrutiny following allegations of embezzlement of offerings and donations made by devotees at the Ram Mandir.
An FIR was registered in connection with the alleged misappropriation of temple offerings, prompting authorities to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. The SIT subsequently submitted its recommendations to the Uttar Pradesh government last month. The investigation is continuing and no final conclusions have been announced so far.
The Trust, which was constituted by the Government of India in February 2020 following the Supreme Court's verdict in the Ayodhya title dispute, is responsible for the construction, administration and management of the Ram Mandir and associated facilities.
The controversy has also put the spotlight on Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, who tendered their resignations after the donation embezzlement case surfaced.
According to the Trust's bylaws, no disciplinary measure — including the acceptance of a resignation or removal from a post — can be taken without first obtaining an explanation from the office-bearer concerned. Any such action must also be approved by the requisite majority of trustees.
Sources said Rai has conveyed to close associates that he does not wish to continue under the shadow of the controversy and believes his responsibilities in Ayodhya have been fulfilled. However, neither Rai nor Mishra has been named in the FIR registered in connection with the case.
The meeting is expected to discuss the future of both Rai and Mishra, including the status of their resignations. Sources said that if the resignations are accepted, trustees may also deliberate on a revised administrative structure for the Trust's functioning.
The SIT's recommendations and the future management framework of the Ram Mandir are also expected to figure prominently in the deliberations. Sources said members may be briefed on the probe's interim findings and discuss measures aimed at strengthening administrative oversight.
Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri has asked all regular and ex-officio members to attend the meeting.
The ex-officio members include Union Home Ministry Additional Secretary Prashant Lokhande, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Prasad, Ayodhya District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi and former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nripendra Mishra.
Sources in Ayodhya said the possibility of Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das attending the meeting has increased after his discharge from hospital. Hospital sources said the 89-year-old was admitted on June 29 with a urinary tract infection and breathing difficulties and was discharged on Friday.
Senior trustee K Parasaran, who is unable to travel because of age-related health issues, is likely to participate through video conference, sources said.
The role of special invitee Gopal Rao is also expected to come up for discussion during the meeting.
Sources further said that an unaudited income and expenditure statement, balance sheet and other financial details for the 2025-26 fiscal year are likely to be presented before the trustees for approval.
The meeting is also expected to discuss the appointment of a chief executive officer to oversee the management of the Ram Mandir, a move that could shape the temple's future administrative structure.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has shifted the venue of its crucial meeting scheduled for Monday, with the gathering now set to take place inside the Ram Janmabhoomi complex instead of the Sant Maniram Das Chhawani in Ayodhya.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 3 pm and is expected to deliberate on several important matters related to the Trust and the administration of the Ram Mandir. Trust office-bearers and members are expected to attend the meeting, for which preparations have already begun within the temple complex.
The venue change comes at a time when the Trust is under scrutiny following allegations of embezzlement of offerings and donations made by devotees at the Ram Mandir.
An FIR was registered in connection with the alleged misappropriation of temple offerings, prompting authorities to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. The SIT subsequently submitted its recommendations to the Uttar Pradesh government last month. The investigation is continuing and no final conclusions have been announced so far.
The Trust, which was constituted by the Government of India in February 2020 following the Supreme Court's verdict in the Ayodhya title dispute, is responsible for the construction, administration and management of the Ram Mandir and associated facilities.
The controversy has also put the spotlight on Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, who tendered their resignations after the donation embezzlement case surfaced.
According to the Trust's bylaws, no disciplinary measure — including the acceptance of a resignation or removal from a post — can be taken without first obtaining an explanation from the office-bearer concerned. Any such action must also be approved by the requisite majority of trustees.
Sources said Rai has conveyed to close associates that he does not wish to continue under the shadow of the controversy and believes his responsibilities in Ayodhya have been fulfilled. However, neither Rai nor Mishra has been named in the FIR registered in connection with the case.
The meeting is expected to discuss the future of both Rai and Mishra, including the status of their resignations. Sources said that if the resignations are accepted, trustees may also deliberate on a revised administrative structure for the Trust's functioning.
The SIT's recommendations and the future management framework of the Ram Mandir are also expected to figure prominently in the deliberations. Sources said members may be briefed on the probe's interim findings and discuss measures aimed at strengthening administrative oversight.
Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri has asked all regular and ex-officio members to attend the meeting.
The ex-officio members include Union Home Ministry Additional Secretary Prashant Lokhande, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Prasad, Ayodhya District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi and former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nripendra Mishra.
Sources in Ayodhya said the possibility of Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das attending the meeting has increased after his discharge from hospital. Hospital sources said the 89-year-old was admitted on June 29 with a urinary tract infection and breathing difficulties and was discharged on Friday.
Senior trustee K Parasaran, who is unable to travel because of age-related health issues, is likely to participate through video conference, sources said.
The role of special invitee Gopal Rao is also expected to come up for discussion during the meeting.
Sources further said that an unaudited income and expenditure statement, balance sheet and other financial details for the 2025-26 fiscal year are likely to be presented before the trustees for approval.
The meeting is also expected to discuss the appointment of a chief executive officer to oversee the management of the Ram Mandir, a move that could shape the temple's future administrative structure.
