Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust Executives Resign Amid Fraud Probe
The managing body of Ayodhya’s Ram temple confirmed receiving resignation letters from General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra on June 27, 2026. The high-profile departures follow an intense Special Investigation Team probe into alleged financial irregularities and embezzlement involving devotee donations at the shrine.
Key Highlights
- General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra tendered resignations citing moral responsibility.
- A state-appointed Special Investigation Team uncovered financial irregularities, leading to an FIR against multiple suspects.
- Eight individuals were arrested on June 25 and remanded to judicial custody until June 29.
- The Trust assured devotees that all physical offerings, including silver bricks, remain safe and documented.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust issued an official statement on Saturday acknowledging it had received formal resignation letters from General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra. The administration intends to formally review the matter during its upcoming executive meeting.
In its public communication, the temple administration expressed profound distress, stating it was shocked, hurt, and deeply saddened by the incidents that have come to light in Shri Ram Temple (Ayodhya) over the past few days.
The governing body emphasized its responsibility toward the public, noting that as representatives of all devotees of Lord Ram and the volunteers serving here, it remained committed to ensuring a fair investigation and reassuring the devotees.
Trust confirms resignation of Champat Rai, Anil Mishra
The temple leadership formally validated the exit attempts of its top administrative officials.
The Trust confirmed it received a resignation letter from Shri Champat Rai, General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra (Trust), and from Trustee Shri Anil Mishra, noting the board will consider the matter in its upcoming meeting.
Rai, a highly visible leader in the historical temple movement and vice president of the Vishwa Hindu Prasad, stepped down a day earlier on June 26, citing moral responsibility.
Addressing concerns regarding physical assets, the management stated that the Trust assures those devotees who personally handed over silver bricks, ornaments, and other items to the Trust officials as offerings in the service of Lord Shri Ram that these items are safely available along with proper records.
Regarding the incident related to funds received through the temple donation boxes, the Trust initiated formal legal complaints. Based on the interim report submitted by the SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh administration at the request of the Trust, an FIR has been lodged and legal proceedings are underway.
The state government formed the specialized probe unit on June 13, which submitted its preliminary findings on June 23. This led to the June 25 arrests of eight named individuals, including Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ram Shankar Yadav.
The suspects face charges of theft, criminal breach of trust, criminal conspiracy, and concealing stolen property, and remain in judicial custody until June 29. Meanwhile, opposition politicians have labeled the investigation an eyewash for failing to directly penalize senior leadership.
The administration vowed that stringent measures would be implemented to prevent future lapses, promising that the guilty will receive strict punishment in accordance with the law and serve as a deterrent.
The organization claimed that anti-social, irreligious, and self-serving elements will not be allowed to succeed in their attempts to tarnish Sanatan Dharma, while cautioning the public against accepting unverified rumors.
The Trust concluded on an optimistic note, asserting that these clouds will pass, the darkness will recede, the light of truth will prevail, and the powerful stream of devotion to Lord Ram will continue to flow uninterrupted.
History of the Trust Controversy
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was established to oversee the construction and management of the historic Ayodhya temple. Champat Rai has long been an influential figure within the movement, serving simultaneously as a core leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The sudden eruption of asset misappropriation allegations on June 13, 2026, marked a turning point, forcing state intervention and prompting political friction across Uttar Pradesh regarding institutional accountability.
FAQs
Why did Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resign?
Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resigned from their positions in the Ram Mandir Trust after a state-appointed Special Investigation Team uncovered financial irregularities regarding temple donation boxes, leading Rai to cite moral responsibility.
Who has been arrested in connection with the temple donation case?
Police arrested eight individuals on June 25, 2026, including Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ram Shankar Yadav.
What charges do the accused individuals face?
The suspects face legal charges pertaining to theft, criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and receiving or concealing stolen property, with judicial custody extended until June 29, 2026.
Are the silver bricks and ornaments donated by devotees safe?
Yes, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust clarified that all silver bricks, ornaments, and physical items personally handed over by devotees are completely secure and backed by proper documentation.
