Ram Temple trust secretary ChampatTemple trust secretary Champat Rai resigns amid donation theft probe with eight arrests
On June 27, 2026, Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Ayodhya Ram Temple trust, resigned after eight people were arrested for allegedly stealing Rs 80 lakh in donations from the sacred site in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
The resignation followed a Special Investigation Team report that found blatant violations of standard operating procedures, prompting public scrutiny and an FIR on embezzlement and fraud.
The trust states donations are safe, but the scandal raises critical questions about accountability and security at one of India's most significant religious sites.
Uttar Pradesh Government and Samajwadi Party
The Uttar Pradesh government and Samajwadi Party view the missing donations as a serious breach of trust by temple officials, arguing that the scandal exposes systemic fraud and demands a thorough investigation to protect devotees' offerings.
Ram Temple Trust and VHP
The trust and VHP argue that all donations remain safe and fully accounted for, insisting the resignations are a voluntary step to ensure a fair probe rather than an admission of guilt, while emphasizing that devotees' offerings are secure.
- The Ayodhya Ram Temple construction began in 1989 following a historic legal battle over the site's ownership.
- Devotees often donate silver bricks and jewelry to the temple, which are stored in secure vaults for future use in worship services.
- The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has played a central role in organizing the temple's religious activities and managing its trust operations since 1990.
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