Who will replace Champat Rai amid Ram temple donation theft row?
Ram temple donation theft row: As the temple trust weighs the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, VHP leader Bajrang Bagra has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Rai. Neeraj Dauneria and Krishna Mohan are also in the reckoning for key roles in the trust.
A crucial meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is underway in Ayodhya on Monday to deliberate on the future of former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra amid the Ram temple donation theft controversy.
Sources said trust members discussed the resignations submitted by Rai and Mishra and reviewed developments in the ongoing investigation into the donation theft case. According to sources, a broad consensus emerged in favour of removing Mishra from his position. However, the final decision will be taken in accordance with the trust's formal procedures.
Trustees meeting at the Ram temple complex in Ayodhya deliberated on the donation theft controversy and the resignations of Rai and Mishra. Sources said there was broad agreement on accepting the resignations, which would leave two vacancies in the trust. With the trust expected to accept the resignations of Rai and Mishra, attention has shifted to who could take their place.
BAJRANG BAJRA
According to sources, VHP International General Secretary Bajrang Bagra has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Rai as the Ram temple trust's general secretary. His name is said to be leading the shortlist as the trust looks to rebuild confidence following the donation theft row.
A Chartered Accountant from Rajasthan's Sikar district, Bagra has served as the VHP's Central (International) General Secretary since February 2024. Before becoming a full-time social worker, he was Director (Finance) and Chief Financial Officer at National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) and RITES Ltd.
Within the VHP, he has also held the post of Joint General Secretary and served as president and CEO of the Ekal Abhiyan. Sources say his financial expertise and administrative experience are being viewed as key strengths at a time when the trust is looking to strengthen transparency and governance.
NEERAJ DAUNERIA
Another frontrunner is Neeraj Dauneria, who is the National Convenor of the Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the VHP. A long-time functionary within the Sangh Parivar, he has been associated with various organisational and outreach activities of the Bajrang Dal and VHP across the country.
Dauneria is also known for his involvement in issues linked to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and Hindu religious causes. His experience in grassroots mobilisation and organisational work has made him a familiar face within the wider network of groups associated with the Ram Temple movement.
Sources say his long association with the cause is one of the factors behind his name being considered for a role in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
KRISHNA MOHAN
Krishna Mohan is a retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer who served in various administrative and conservation-related roles during his career in government service. Following his retirement, he remained active in social and organisational work.
He has also served as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) office-bearer for eastern Uttar Pradesh, giving him extensive experience in organisational leadership and public outreach. His administrative background, coupled with his long association with the RSS, is believed to have brought him into consideration for a position in the Ram temple trust as it looks to strengthen its governance framework.
TRUST MEETING REVIEWS FALLOUT OF DONATION THEFT ROW
The key meeting, chaired by Trust President Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, began at the Ram temple complex after being shifted from Mani Ram Das Chhawani due to security concerns and the expected presence of a large media contingent. Champat Rai and Anil Mishra are absent from the meeting.
Trust treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri formally placed the resignations of Rai and Mishra before the members and reviewed developments related to the donation theft case.
Addressing the meeting, Govind Dev Giri expressed regret over the controversy, calling it "a very big mistake". He said the incident had hurt the faith of crores of Ram devotees and acknowledged shortcomings in the trust's administrative systems.
He stressed the need to strengthen oversight mechanisms and introduce safeguards to ensure such incidents are not repeated in the future.
WHAT IS THE DONATION THEFT CASE?
The development came amid an ongoing probe into the theft of donations offered at the Ram temple. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted on June 13, submitted its preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government on June 23. The report subsequently led to the registration of an FIR and the arrest of eight accused.
According to investigators, deleted CCTV footage has also been recovered, showing some of the accused concealing currency notes while removing them from the temple premises.
The VHP has said it will abide by whatever decision the Ram temple trust takes regarding the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, both of whom are associated with the organisation.
Although no FIR has been registered against Rai, Mishra or special invitee Gopal Rao so far, lawyers associated with the Faizabad Bar Association in Ayodhya have submitted a written complaint to the police seeking the registration of a case against them.