Leadership shake-up follows SIT arrests and alleged findings of systematic siphoning of devotees’ donations
The Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust witnessed a dramatic leadership shake-up on Friday after trust general secretary Champat Rai and senior member Anil Mishra resigned amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged theft of donations collected at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The resignations came shortly after the Uttar Pradesh Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested eight people in connection with the alleged embezzlement of devotees’ offerings. Sources said the developments followed preliminary findings pointing to serious irregularities in the handling, accounting and monitoring of temple donations.
The first FIR in the case was registered on the recommendations of the SIT after a complaint was filed by trust member Krishna Mohan, who joined the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in September 2025 following the demise of former trustee Kameshwar Chaupal.
The case has been registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61 and 3(5).
Among those named in the FIR are Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Tinnu Yadav and Manish Yadav, along with several others allegedly associated with the collection and counting of temple donations.
Yogi Adityanath reiterates zero-tolerance stance
The resignations came minutes after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reaffirmed his government’s commitment to taking strict action against those responsible for the alleged theft.
Speaking at an event in Deoria, the Chief Minister said the SIT had already acted on its preliminary findings, resulting in the registration of an FIR and the arrest of eight accused.
He asserted that no one would be allowed to hurt the sentiments of Sanatan Dharma followers and accused opposition parties of attempting to politicise the issue and malign Ayodhya. Adityanath also claimed that many of those now raising questions had earlier opposed the construction of the Ram Temple and denied the existence of Lord Ram.
SIT uncovers alleged modus operandi
According to sources, investigators uncovered what appears to be an organised system for siphoning off devotees’ donations.
The preliminary probe reportedly found that employees involved in counting cash manipulated currency bundles by inserting extra notes while preparing them. Since bank officials allegedly counted the bundles rather than verifying every note, the declared figures matched official records. Before the money was deposited, the extra currency notes were allegedly removed, allowing the accused to pocket the cash without creating accounting discrepancies.
The SIT also relied on footage from hidden cameras installed inside the donation counting room. The recordings allegedly showed employees exploiting blind spots in the existing CCTV surveillance system. Investigators claim one employee deliberately obstructed the camera’s view while another removed currency notes from bundles and concealed them in clothing before the cash was sent to the bank.
Officials indicated that the investigation remains ongoing and further action could follow as more evidence is examined.
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