Ram Temple Trust advances key meeting as Champat Rai's future hangs in balance
The development comes as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigation into alleged "donation theft" at the temple complex widens, with the Bank of Baroda branch in Ayodhya now also coming under scrutiny after police served a notice in the case.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has advanced a crucial executive committee meeting to July 6, with the spotlight firmly on general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, whose resignations and role in the alleged Ram Temple donation misappropriation case are expected to come up for discussion.
The meeting comes at a time when the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has widened its probe beyond the eight people arrested in the alleged donation theft case, examining the role of Trust office-bearers, banking officials and digital transactions linked to temple donations.
According to sources, the executive committee is expected to hear the versions of Rai and Mishra before taking any decision, following the same practice it adopted during previous controversies, including the Ram Temple land dispute.
RESIGNATIONS UNDER LENS
The July 6 meeting will be the first executive committee meeting since the donation controversy erupted earlier this month.
On June 26, Rai and Mishra submitted their resignations, taking moral responsibility after an FIR was registered in the case naming eight accused and several unidentified people.
Sources said the committee is likely to deliberate on whether the resignations should be accepted after hearing from both leaders.
The development follows the questioning of Rai by the investigating officer on Monday.
During the interrogation, Rai is learnt to have denied any wrongdoing and said he was unaware of several aspects of the alleged irregularities. On matters related to the Trust's internal functioning, he reportedly referred investigators to other members.
Police later recorded the statement of Trust member Krishna Mohan, who is also the complainant in the case.
BANK ACCOUNTS, DIGITAL TRAIL UNDER SCRUTINY
The investigation has also brought the Bank of Baroda's Ayodhya branch under scrutiny after police served it a notice seeking account details linked to the case.
The bank clarified that its role is limited to facilitating online QR-based donations and that it has no involvement in collecting, counting or managing physical offerings made at the Ram Temple.
It also said around 10 to 15 per cent of the Trust's donations are routed through Bank of Baroda and Punjab National Bank, while the State Bank of India remains the primary banking channel.
Sources said Rai maintains an account at the Ayodhya branch that was transferred from Delhi several years ago and now carries only a minimal balance. Mishra also has an account there and had recently availed a loan of around Rs 20 lakh to purchase an electric vehicle.
Police sought details of accounts belonging to the accused Avinash Shukla, Manish Yadav and Supriya Mishra. The bank confirmed that accounts exist for Shukla and Manish Yadav, but said no account was found in the name of Supriya Mishra at the branch.
Investigators were also informed that Yadav's account has a balance of around Rs 1,400 and has remained inactive for several months.
Officials are now analysing UPI transactions, expenditure patterns and fund movements to determine whether digital payment records reveal any suspicious financial activity.
SIT WIDENS PROBE
After arresting eight accused, the SIT has expanded the scope of its investigation.
Apart from examining the role of temple employees, investigators are scrutinising office-bearers of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and officials of the State Bank of India associated with temple accounts.
The SIT is also looking into land purchases made by the Trust and procurement of construction materials. Preliminary scrutiny has reportedly indicated that some land deals were executed above prevailing market rates.
Investigators have also found alleged lapses at multiple stages in the monitoring, withdrawal and counting of temple donations despite a detailed protocol agreed upon between the Trust and SBI.
MAHANT LEVELS SHARP ATTACK
Amid the intensifying investigation, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Seva Samiti president and Hanuman Garhi mahant Acharya Dharam Das launched a scathing attack on the Trust leadership.
Speaking to Aaj Tak, he alleged, "Because of the Trust, the faith of countless Ram devotees has been insulted."
Accusing Rai of favouritism, he said, "He gave major responsibilities to his own people and then together they formed a circle and looted the temple."
Targeting Mishra, Dharam Das said, "He was a small homeopathic doctor. What understanding of Sanatan did he have? He was given such a big position and what else would he do except steal."
He also questioned the appointment of Govind Giri, alleging that "everyone, together, stole donations".
Claiming that the investigation would gather pace, he said, "More names will emerge, and more people will be caught."
Expressing confidence in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Dharam Das added, "Yogi Adityanath will not spare any thief. I can say this while sitting under a peepal tree. No one will be spared."
The outcome of the July 6 Trust meeting is now expected to determine not only the immediate future of Rai and Mishra within the Trust but could also shape the next phase of the high-profile donation misappropriation investigation.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has advanced a crucial executive committee meeting to July 6, with the spotlight firmly on general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, whose resignations and role in the alleged Ram Temple donation misappropriation case are expected to come up for discussion.
The meeting comes at a time when the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has widened its probe beyond the eight people arrested in the alleged donation theft case, examining the role of Trust office-bearers, banking officials and digital transactions linked to temple donations.
According to sources, the executive committee is expected to hear the versions of Rai and Mishra before taking any decision, following the same practice it adopted during previous controversies, including the Ram Temple land dispute.
RESIGNATIONS UNDER LENS
The July 6 meeting will be the first executive committee meeting since the donation controversy erupted earlier this month.
On June 26, Rai and Mishra submitted their resignations, taking moral responsibility after an FIR was registered in the case naming eight accused and several unidentified people.
Sources said the committee is likely to deliberate on whether the resignations should be accepted after hearing from both leaders.
The development follows the questioning of Rai by the investigating officer on Monday.
During the interrogation, Rai is learnt to have denied any wrongdoing and said he was unaware of several aspects of the alleged irregularities. On matters related to the Trust's internal functioning, he reportedly referred investigators to other members.
Police later recorded the statement of Trust member Krishna Mohan, who is also the complainant in the case.
BANK ACCOUNTS, DIGITAL TRAIL UNDER SCRUTINY
The investigation has also brought the Bank of Baroda's Ayodhya branch under scrutiny after police served it a notice seeking account details linked to the case.
The bank clarified that its role is limited to facilitating online QR-based donations and that it has no involvement in collecting, counting or managing physical offerings made at the Ram Temple.
It also said around 10 to 15 per cent of the Trust's donations are routed through Bank of Baroda and Punjab National Bank, while the State Bank of India remains the primary banking channel.
Sources said Rai maintains an account at the Ayodhya branch that was transferred from Delhi several years ago and now carries only a minimal balance. Mishra also has an account there and had recently availed a loan of around Rs 20 lakh to purchase an electric vehicle.
Police sought details of accounts belonging to the accused Avinash Shukla, Manish Yadav and Supriya Mishra. The bank confirmed that accounts exist for Shukla and Manish Yadav, but said no account was found in the name of Supriya Mishra at the branch.
Investigators were also informed that Yadav's account has a balance of around Rs 1,400 and has remained inactive for several months.
Officials are now analysing UPI transactions, expenditure patterns and fund movements to determine whether digital payment records reveal any suspicious financial activity.
SIT WIDENS PROBE
After arresting eight accused, the SIT has expanded the scope of its investigation.
Apart from examining the role of temple employees, investigators are scrutinising office-bearers of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and officials of the State Bank of India associated with temple accounts.
The SIT is also looking into land purchases made by the Trust and procurement of construction materials. Preliminary scrutiny has reportedly indicated that some land deals were executed above prevailing market rates.
Investigators have also found alleged lapses at multiple stages in the monitoring, withdrawal and counting of temple donations despite a detailed protocol agreed upon between the Trust and SBI.
MAHANT LEVELS SHARP ATTACK
Amid the intensifying investigation, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Seva Samiti president and Hanuman Garhi mahant Acharya Dharam Das launched a scathing attack on the Trust leadership.
Speaking to Aaj Tak, he alleged, "Because of the Trust, the faith of countless Ram devotees has been insulted."
Accusing Rai of favouritism, he said, "He gave major responsibilities to his own people and then together they formed a circle and looted the temple."
Targeting Mishra, Dharam Das said, "He was a small homeopathic doctor. What understanding of Sanatan did he have? He was given such a big position and what else would he do except steal."
He also questioned the appointment of Govind Giri, alleging that "everyone, together, stole donations".
Claiming that the investigation would gather pace, he said, "More names will emerge, and more people will be caught."
Expressing confidence in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Dharam Das added, "Yogi Adityanath will not spare any thief. I can say this while sitting under a peepal tree. No one will be spared."
The outcome of the July 6 Trust meeting is now expected to determine not only the immediate future of Rai and Mishra within the Trust but could also shape the next phase of the high-profile donation misappropriation investigation.
