The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has advanced its crucial executive committee meeting from July 11 to July 6, and is likely to decide the fate of general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, both of whom submitted resignations after the Ram Temple donation misappropriation case came to light.
The Trust, headed by 87-year-old Ayodhya saint Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, has asked all 14 of its members to remain available for the July 6 meeting. The development follows the questioning of Champat Rai by the investigating officer on Monday, during which Rai is reported to have denied any wrongdoing and said he was unaware of several aspects of the alleged irregularities, referring investigators to other members on matters concerning the Trust’s internal functioning. Police have also recorded the statement of trust member Krishna Mohan, who filed the original complaint in the case.
Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri, in a communication to members, said the meeting had been moved up because several important matters required immediate discussion. Giri had confirmed on June 27 that both Champat Rai and Anil Mishra had tendered their resignations, which the two submitted on June 26 while citing moral responsibility, a day after an FIR was registered naming eight accused and several unidentified persons. Notably, the Vishva Hindu Parishad has said it has no confirmed knowledge of the resignation of its vice president, an apparent reference to Mishra, adding a layer of uncertainty to how the two departures will formally be processed.
Opposition leaders have targeted the BJP, the RSS and the temple trust over the alleged embezzlement of donations, though investigators have not yet disclosed any figures. The matter has shaken the faith of devotees who contribute to the temple.
Among the issues expected to come up at the July 6 meeting are a reorganisation of the Trust’s day-to-day functioning and measures to strengthen financial oversight and transparency. Members may also discuss adding further layers to the Trust’s administrative structure, after concerns were raised that a small group of office-bearers had been operating with near-total authority over internal matters, with little documentation shared among the wider membership. The Trust’s previous meeting was held on March 21, when preparations for Ram Navami celebrations were discussed; meetings are typically held every three months.
SIT widens probe, examines land deals and bank records
The meeting comes as a Special Investigation Team continues to examine the donation theft case, including the conduct of trust office-bearers, banking officials, and digital transactions linked to temple donations. Following the arrest of all eight named accused, the SIT has also begun scrutinising officials of the State Bank of India associated with temple accounts, alongside the role of temple employees more broadly. Investigators are additionally examining the Trust’s recent land purchases and its procurement of construction materials.
The probe has brought Bank of Baroda’s Ayodhya branch under scrutiny as well, after police served the bank a notice seeking account details connected to the case. The bank has clarified that its role is limited to facilitating online, QR-code-based donations, and that it has no involvement in collecting, counting, or managing physical offerings made at the temple. Investigators are separately analysing UPI transactions, expenditure patterns, and fund movements for any indication of irregular financial activity.