Ayodhya Ram Temple Row: Champat Rai’s Resignation Accepted, New Gen Secy Appointed
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The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has accepted Champat Rai's resignation as general secretary amid the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft investigation. Bajrang Bagra has been appointed as his successor, while the SIT and police continue parallel inquiries.
The meeting is regarded as the most significant since the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was established in 2020.
It is chaired by Trust President Mahant Nritya Gopal Das and convened by Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri, who also commented that this donation theft was a big mistake, and it hurt sentiments.
Senior trustees, government representatives and legal experts are attending the discussions.
Ram Mandir Trust Accepts Champat Rai's Resignation
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday accepted the resignation of Champat Rai as general secretary amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
The Trust also announced that Bajrang Bagra will succeed Rai as general secretary of the shrine. The decision followed a crucial meeting held at the Ram Temple premises in Ayodhya on Monday.
Rai had resigned on 26 June as the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of temple donations gathered momentum. His resignation came a day after police arrested eight people in connection with the case, including his driver, Ramashankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu.
Trustee Anil Mishra also stepped down from his position. Although both Rai and Mishra have been linked to the alleged donation theft controversy, no criminal case has been registered against either of them.
According to reports, Rai was present within the Ram Temple complex on the day of the Trust meeting but did not participate in the proceedings.
Apart from appointing the new general secretary, the important points to be discussed during the meeting are–
- Reviewing the Special Investigation Team's (SIT) interim findings into the alleged donation embezzlement.
- Discussing governance reforms.
- Finalising the temple's future management structure.
- Considering the role of special invitee Gopal Rao.
- Approving the unaudited financial statements for the 2025–26 financial year.
- Deliberating on the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the temple.
