Ayodhya Ram temple committee accepts Champat Rai’s resignation amid embezzlement row

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday accepted the resignation of its general secretary, Champat Rai, amid the row about alleged embezzlement of donations made to the Ram temple in Ayodhya, ANI quoted the trust’s treasurer as saying.

The trust manages the temple.

On June 26, Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned from their posts on “moral grounds”. Mishra’s resignation has also been accepted, reported ANI.

A first information report was registered against eight persons in the case on June 25. The FIR was filed based on a complaint by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

All eight accused named in the FIR have been arrested. They were booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

On June 23, the Special Investigation Team probing the alleged irregularities at the Ram temple submitted its preliminary report to the Uttar Pradesh government. The contents of the report have not been made public.

However, unidentified persons aware of its contents told The Indian Express that the report highlights alleged lapses, inadequate supervision and negligence in the handling, maintenance and counting of donated cash and valuables.

The SIT is expected to submit a final report next week.

The team was set up by the state government on June 13 following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

Opposition leaders and a whistleblower have claimed that cash and jewellery offerings made...

Read more