Champat Rai and Anil Mishra have resigned from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust amid a probe into alleged donation embezzlement.
The resignations of the general secretary and a trust member occur as a Special Investigation Team examines financial lapses within the Ayodhya-based organization. Because the temple is a focal point of national religious and political significance, any allegation of financial misconduct carries substantial weight.
Rai and Mishra offered their resignations on moral grounds [1], [2]. The move follows an investigation into the alleged theft of donations, a case that has already resulted in the arrest of eight people [3].
Political opposition has responded to the departures with skepticism. Surendra Rajput, a leader with the Congress party, said the resignations are insufficient given the scale of the alleged misconduct. Rajput said the scam involves ₹1,500 crore [4].
"This is a small step," Rajput said. "The scam is of ₹1,500 crore. Big thieves are being saved by such small resignations" [4].
Two officials have stepped down from the trust to date [1]. The investigation remains active as authorities seek to determine the full extent of the missing funds and the identities of those responsible for the embezzlement.
“Champat Rai and Anil Mishra offered their resignations on moral grounds.”
The resignation of high-ranking officials from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust suggests a significant internal crisis regarding the management of public donations. With the Congress party alleging a scam of ₹1,500 crore, the outcome of the Special Investigation Team's probe could have major political ramifications in Uttar Pradesh and across India, potentially impacting the perceived integrity of the temple's administration.
