'Our Role Is Over': VHP Distances Itself From Champat Rai, Ram Temple Trust Amid Donation Theft Row

Published 30 June 2026 · india

'Our Role Is Over': VHP Distances Itself From Champat Rai, Ram Temple Trust Amid Donation Theft Row Published By, Last Updated: June 30, 2026, 12:20

'Our Role Is Over': VHP Distances Itself From Champat Rai, Ram Temple Trust Amid Donation Theft Row Published By, Last Updated: June 30, 2026, 12:20 IST Champat Rai stepped down as the general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust amid mounting scrutiny over allegations linked to donation theft at the Ram Temple VHP International President Alok Kumar | File photo credit: ANI The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has distanced itself from what it described as the “actions" of Champat Rai, which he undertook in his capacity as the head of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, an independent organisation that manages the Ayodhya-based Ram Temple. Rai, 79, recently stepped down as the general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust amid mounting scrutiny over the allegations linked to donation theft at the Ram Temple. In an interview with India Today, VHP International President Alok Kumar seemingly washed his hands of the allegations, emphasising the organisation had no role in overseeing activities at the temple.

“Our role is over. It is not the job of the VHP in any part of the country to construct temples or to run them. The trust would run them and what happens in the trust would be the responsibility of the trust," he said. Kumar suggested attempts to hold the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or the government accountable would be inappropriate. The VHP President distanced himself from the allegations of donation theft, saying: “I am distancing myself with the actions of Shri Champat Rai in his capacity as the General Secretary of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, according to India Today. Ram Temple Donation Theft Row The controversy stems from allegations that devotees’ offerings of gold, silver, and diamond ornaments at the Ram Temple were swapped with counterfeits, alongside the theft of monetary donations. As the investigation into the allegations gained momentum, Champat Rai was questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for over three hours, sources told CNN-News18.

According to sources, Rai denied any role in the alleged embezzlement of donations at the temple, saying he had never imagined employees entrusted with handling temple donations could commit such an offence. While police maintain that Rai is not an accused at this point, investigators describe him as a key witness in the case as he oversaw activities linked to donation and finances system at the temple. Police have also issued a notice to Anil Mishra, an e trustee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra. So far, eight people entrusted with the counting of cash and valuables at the temple have been apprehended. The arrested accused are: Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav. As the investigation proceeds, the SIT is examining bank records and cash flows in a bid to determine whether the accountability extends beyond the eight accused.