'I Installed Hidden Cameras To Catch Ram Mandir Donation Theft': Champat Rai Claims Betrayal

Published 2 July 2026 · general

'I Installed Hidden Cameras To Catch Ram Mandir Donation Theft': Champat Rai Claims Betrayal Published By, Edited By Last Updated: July 02, 2026, 08:05 IST

'I Installed Hidden Cameras To Catch Ram Mandir Donation Theft': Champat Rai Claims Betrayal Published By, Edited By Last Updated: July 02, 2026, 08:05 IST According to sources familiar with the investigation, Rai told investigators that he had been "betrayed" by people he trusted Rapid Read General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra (SRJTK) Champat Rai. (PTI file photo) Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai has defended himself during police questioning in the alleged Ram Temple donation misappropriation case, claiming he was the person who uncovered the theft by ordering the installation of hidden surveillance cameras. According to sources familiar with the investigation, Rai told investigators that he had been “betrayed" by people he trusted and insisted he had no role in the alleged embezzlement of devotees’ donations. “I was betrayed. It was I who had installed hidden cameras to catch the theft," Rai is learnt to have told police during his questioning. Read More: Ram Mandir Probe: ‘Ramrajya Kosh’ Donation Box With QR Code Recovered From Accused’s Home His statement comes as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues to widen its probe into one of the biggest controversies surrounding the Ram Temple since its consecration.

Champat Rai, Anil Mishra Questioned Separately Police separately questioned Champat Rai and Trust member Anil Mishra as part of the ongoing investigation. Sources said investigators sought documents from Mishra relating to temple administration, donation handling procedures and financial records. Rai, meanwhile, was questioned about the sequence of events after the alleged theft first came to light, the functioning of the donation counting system and the Trust’s internal response. At present, police are treating Rai as a key witness and have not named him as an accused in the FIR. Investigators are examining whether there were any procedural lapses in the handling of donations and whether existing safeguards were adequate. ‘Hidden Cameras Exposed the Theft’ Rai’s claim aligns with one of the earliest developments in the case. According to investigation sources, Trust officials began suspecting irregularities after noticing repeated mismatches between donations received and the amounts eventually deposited in banks. To verify whether money was being siphoned off during the counting process, hidden cameras were reportedly installed inside the donation counting room. The covert surveillance allegedly captured employees stealing cash and jewellery before the donations were officially accounted for, providing investigators with the first concrete evidence of the alleged racket.