Ram Mandir trust meet today to take call on Champat Rai's exit amid theft probe
A high-stakes meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is scheduled to take place today in Ayodhya, with the fate of former general
A high-stakes meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is scheduled to take place today in Ayodhya, with the fate of former general secretary Champat Rai and e trustee Anil Mishra expected to be decided amid an escalating controversy over alleged donation irregularities. According to sources, the trust is likely to formally accept the resignations of both functionaries, effectively marking their exit from the institution. The two had stepped down on June 26, and the resignation was later confirmed on June 27 by trustee and treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri. Read Full Story The meeting, scheduled to begin at 3 pm inside the Ram Mandir premises, carries a packed agenda. Besides the resignation issue, the trust is also expected to review a preliminary report submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the counting and accounting of donations received in temple donation boxes. Decisions related to audit procedures for the financial year 2025–26 and broader administrative arrangements linked to temple management are also on the table.
Sources said the meeting may also deliberate on possible replacements for the two positions. Among the names being discussed are Bajrang Bangda and Neeraj Dauneria, though no final decision has been indicated yet. The trust meeting has drawn wide participation, with several senior religious figures and trustees arriving in Ayodhya for the session. Those present include trustee Swami Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati, Yugpurush Swami Paramanand, and Krishna Mohan, who have already reached the temple town. Trust treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri, trustee Nripendra Mishra and other members, including Swami Vishwaprasannatirtha, are expected to arrive later in the day. Senior advocate and trustee K Parasaran, along with a few other members, is likely to join the proceedings virtually. Sources also indicated that the trust has already issued notices to both Rai and Mishra, giving them an opportunity to present their side before any final decision is taken. The governing body will decide by a two-thirds majority. Officials familiar with the process say the intent is not just procedural, but also reputational, as the Trust seeks to signal control after sustained scrutiny over donation handling.
This is the first time a trust meeting is being held inside the Ram Mandir complex itself. Earlier sessions were conducted at Maniram Das Chhawani in Ayodhya Dham. The shift in venue is being seen as an effort to maintain confidentiality, with the meeting taking place under heightened attention following allegations tied to donation theft. The controversy has placed both Rai and Mishra under scrutiny since they were closely associated with temple administration and the accounting of offerings. Another invited member, construction adviser Gopal Rao, may also be kept out of this meeting, sources said, though final confirmation is awaited. Meanwhile, Swami Govind Dev Giri has publicly urged that the matter be handled through a fair and independent investigation, adding that faith must remain in the SIT, police and the judiciary. He has also maintained that strict action should follow if wrongdoing is proven, regardless of the stature of those involved. The developments came against the backdrop of a widening investigation into alleged embezzlement of temple donations.
The BriefWire