Yesterday, eight people named in an FIR over the alleged embezzlement of temple donations were arrested. NEW DELHI: Champat Rai has resigned as general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on moral grounds amid ongoing row over the alleged embezzlement of donations received by the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, news agency ANI reported.Meanwhile, trustee Anil Mishra also stepped.The Uttar Pradesh government recently ordered a probe after allegations surfaced that devotees’ offerings had been misappropriated.Yesterday, eight people named in an FIR over the alleged embezzlement of temple donations were arrested.All eight were associated with the process of counting cash and valuables received as donations at the temple.The FIR was registered on the complaint of Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, following recommendations made in the preliminary report of a Special Investigation Team (SIT).Also read: Ram Temple ‘donation theft’ case: Who are the 8 accused named in FIR? All arrestedAccording to news agency PTI, the accused have been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those related to theft by a clerk or servant, criminal breach of trust, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy.Police said the accused were arrested in Ayodhya and are being questioned.Donation controversy triggers political stormThe alleged irregularities have triggered sharp political reactions over the past two weeks.Former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey alleged that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in temple donations had been misappropriated.Following the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member SIT on June 13 after the Trust itself sought an investigation.The SIT, headed by Lucknow divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, examined donation collection, counting and storage procedures, scrutinised financial records and recorded statements from nearly 150 people associated with the temple administration.Also read: Sanjay Raut questions ‘missing’ 4 kg silver brick donated by Shiv Sena for Ram MandirOfficials said the preliminary report recommended administrative reforms to improve transparency and accountability, though its full contents have not been made public.A separate petition seeking a court-monitored probe into the alleged financial irregularities was also mentioned before the Supreme Court.The court declined an oral request for urgent listing and asked the petitioner to mention the matter on June 29.Calls for accountabilityThe controversy has prompted demands for action from opposition leaders.AAP MP Sanjay Singh has demanded the dissolution of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and sought an FIR against Champat Rai, alleging corruption in the handling of temple donations.Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has accused the Uttar Pradesh government of attempting to shield “big fish” in the case and questioned the functioning of the SIT.However, Ram Temple construction committee chairman Nripendra Misra had defended Champat Rai’s integrity in an interview to TOI, saying it “can never be questioned” given his decades-long association with the Ram temple movement.At the same time, Misra advocated the appointment of a full-time chief executive officer to oversee temple operations and improve transparency, while saying he could not vouch for all other senior office-bearers.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCM Yogi Targets Akhilesh, Says ‘Don’t Test Ram Devotees’; Warns Against Tarnishing Ayodhya’s ImageCentre Hikes Passport Fees From July 1: New One To Cost Rs 2,500; Rs 5,000 For Tatkal‘Beaten With Iron Rods’: Bonded Labour Horror In Uttar Pradesh, 12 Workers Rescued‘Throw My Daughter From The Same Place If…’: Accused Siya Goyal’s Mother On Lohagad Fort Murder CaseSuvendu Govt Likely To Introduce UCC Bill In West Bengal Assembly On MondayCanada Officially Confirms Khalistani Role In Air India Kanishka BombingKolkata Warehouse Collapse: Bengal CM Blames TMC Regime, Says ‘Flawed Plan’ Got ApprovalRam Mandir Donation Row: F.I.R Filed Against Eight Accused After SIT Flags EmbezzlementThreat To Journalists? Shiv Sena MP’s Remarks Trigger Political Storm In MaharashtraWhy India Has Given Dinesh Trivedi Cabinet Minister-Equivalent Status In Bangladesh?123PhotostoriesSuccess quote of the day by R Madhavan: ‘Life is just one shot at a time, don’t crowd your mind with too many thoughts’The secret ingredient Madhuri Dixit adds to make Kanda Poha breakfast high in protein; detailed recipe insideWhy ghee is considered sacred in Indian householdsWhich south Indian state has the most number of hill stations?5 countries that have banned social media for children and whyWhat would you do? My 10-year-old wants a smartphone because ‘everyone else has one’: 5 mothers share what happened nextNot every brain tumour begins with a headache: Sometimes the first sign is a change in personality, doctor explains5 vibrant red fish that can transform any plain aquarium5 reasons you suddenly cry while prayingBest indoor plants for offices and workspaces: 7 Low-maintenance plants that can brighten your desk123Hot PicksRBI Grade B Prelims ResultNEET-UG 2026 re-examBank holiday todayGold price crashStock market holidayDelhi rape-murderMumbai local murderWeather tomorrowAndy RoddickTop TrendingDoug MartinShreyas IyerIndian Citizenship document proofFIFA World Cup 2026KEAM Rank List 2026Mumba Local Train MurderMEA PassportNandani BosmiyaMK StalinMumbai Local Train News
NEW DELHI: Champat Rai has resigned as general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on moral grounds amid ongoing row over the alleged embezzlement of donations received by the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, news agency ANI reported.Meanwhile, trustee Anil Mishra also stepped.The Uttar Pradesh government recently ordered a probe after allegations surfaced that devotees’ offerings had been misappropriated.Yesterday, eight people named in an FIR over the alleged embezzlement of temple donations were arrested.All eight were associated with the process of counting cash and valuables received as donations at the temple.The FIR was registered on the complaint of Krishna Mohan, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, following recommendations made in the preliminary report of a Special Investigation Team (SIT).Also read: Ram Temple ‘donation theft’ case: Who are the 8 accused named in FIR? All arrestedAccording to news agency PTI, the accused have been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those related to theft by a clerk or servant, criminal breach of trust, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy.Police said the accused were arrested in Ayodhya and are being questioned.
Donation controversy triggers political storm
The alleged irregularities have triggered sharp political reactions over the past two weeks.Former Samajwadi Party MLA Pawan Pandey alleged that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in temple donations had been misappropriated.Following the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member SIT on June 13 after the Trust itself sought an investigation.The SIT, headed by Lucknow divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, examined donation collection, counting and storage procedures, scrutinised financial records and recorded statements from nearly 150 people associated with the temple administration.Also read: Sanjay Raut questions ‘missing’ 4 kg silver brick donated by Shiv Sena for Ram MandirOfficials said the preliminary report recommended administrative reforms to improve transparency and accountability, though its full contents have not been made public.A separate petition seeking a court-monitored probe into the alleged financial irregularities was also mentioned before the Supreme Court.The court declined an oral request for urgent listing and asked the petitioner to mention the matter on June 29.
Calls for accountability
The controversy has prompted demands for action from opposition leaders.AAP MP Sanjay Singh has demanded the dissolution of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and sought an FIR against Champat Rai, alleging corruption in the handling of temple donations.Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has accused the Uttar Pradesh government of attempting to shield “big fish” in the case and questioned the functioning of the SIT.However, Ram Temple construction committee chairman Nripendra Misra had defended Champat Rai’s integrity in an interview to TOI, saying it “can never be questioned” given his decades-long association with the Ram temple movement.At the same time, Misra advocated the appointment of a full-time chief executive officer to oversee temple operations and improve transparency, while saying he could not vouch for all other senior office-bearers.
