Champat Rai, Anil Mishra resign amid Ram Temple donation probe

Ram Temple Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned amid the ongoing donation embezzlement controversy after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) found serious violations of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the handling of devotees' donations.

The resignations came after an FIR was registered against eight individuals in connection with the alleged embezzlement of temple donations. All the accused have since been arrested as the investigation gathers pace.

According to reports, both Rai and Mishra stepped down taking moral responsibility amid mounting scrutiny over the functioning of the trust.

The controversy stems from allegations that donations worth several crore rupees were siphoned off through systematic manipulation of the temple's donation collection and accounting process. The Uttar Pradesh government had constituted a three-member SIT on June 14 after the trust itself sought an investigation into the matter.

According to the SIT's preliminary findings, investigators found widespread violations of standard operating procedures governing the handling of donations.

The probe reportedly identified lapses including inadequate CCTV surveillance, weak employee verification, irregular handling of keys to donation boxes (hundis), poor supervision during counting of cash and valuables, and deficiencies in the movement and banking of donations. These shortcomings allegedly enabled the diversion of devotees' offerings over a prolonged period.

Investigators also recovered ₹79.85 lakh during the probe, while continuing to examine the full extent of the alleged financial irregularities. The FIR names several employees and former staff members accused of involvement in the alleged embezzlement.

The developments have triggered sharp political reactions. The Congress has demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe, dissolution of the existing temple trust and intervention by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that accountability should extend beyond junior employees. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has also questioned whether only lower-level staff are being made scapegoats in the case.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has maintained that the government will follow a zero-tolerance approach and has urged those making allegations to cooperate with the SIT.

He said the investigation would establish the complete truth and warned against politicising an issue linked to devotees' faith.

The SIT is expected to submit its final report after completing a detailed examination of financial records, donation management systems and the chain of responsibility within the trust.