In a significant development surrounding the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra have submitted their resignations. Sources indicate the resignations, tendered on Friday, come as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe intensifies, flagging serious lapses in the handling and monitoring of offerings.
The resignations follow mounting scrutiny after the SIT's preliminary findings revealed procedural failures at multiple stages. Investigators reportedly identified gaps in employee verification, inadequate security checks for staff in sensitive areas, weak CCTV surveillance, and irregularities in the movement of donations from the temple premises to the trust office and subsequent bank deposits. Questions have also been raised regarding outsourced personnel involved in donation counting and the oversight mechanisms in place.
Further complicating matters, the SIT is examining records related to gold, silver, ornaments, and other valuables offered by devotees, following reported discrepancies in inventory and documentation. The first FIR in the case has already been registered based on SIT recommendations. Uttar Pradesh Police arrested all eight individuals named in the complaint on Thursday, hours after the FIR was lodged. The accused face charges including theft, criminal breach of trust, concealment of stolen property, and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The controversy first erupted after allegations surfaced concerning the mishandling of devotees' donations. In response, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member SIT on June 13 to investigate the reported irregularities in the collection, storage, and accounting of temple offerings.
Calls for Transparency and Further Action
The issue has drawn reactions from various quarters. BJP worker Dr. Rajnish Singh, who had previously urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene, stated that the resignations alone are insufficient. He called for a detailed investigation into the roles and assets of both individuals who stepped down, emphasizing the need for transparency given the immense public faith associated with the temple.
Politically, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has demanded judicial intervention, questioning whether accountability would extend beyond lower-level individuals to senior figures. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reiterated the Uttar Pradesh government's zero-tolerance policy against any misuse of public faith. He affirmed that action was initiated immediately after the SIT submitted its findings and stressed the government's commitment to preserving Ayodhya's dignity.
As the SIT continues its investigation, attention remains focused on its final report to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and whether further administrative or structural changes will be implemented within the trust in the coming weeks.