Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai has reportedly received a clean chit from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities in the handling of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The SIT’s first report, submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government, does not name Rai or former trust member Anil Mishra in connection with the alleged donation theft case, people familiar with the developments said.
The report has been examined by the state Home Department and subsequently forwarded to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for further action.
Champat Rai, Anil Mishra had resigned in June
Rai and Mishra had resigned from their positions in the temple trust on June 27, amid an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities involving temple donations.
The first SIT was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on June 13, following a request from the temple trust. The team was headed by Lucknow divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant and included senior police and finance officials.
The SIT submitted its preliminary report to the government on June 23. An FIR was subsequently registered at Ayodhya’s Shri Ram Janmabhoomi police station on June 25.
Eight arrested in alleged donation theft case
Eight people named in the FIR have been arrested in connection with the case and are currently in jail.
According to the preliminary SIT findings, cash thefts were allegedly detected around 70 times between April 27 and June 5, 2026, in the temple’s counting room.
The report reportedly cited CCTV footage that showed employees allegedly concealing and taking away cash. It also flagged lapses in the standard operating procedures followed by the temple trust and the State Bank of India, including inadequate frisking at entry and exit points.
Second SIT probe continues
Despite the clean chit reportedly given to Rai and Mishra in the first SIT report, the matter is not over.
A second SIT, headed by Lucknow range Inspector General Kiran S, is continuing its investigation following directions from the Supreme Court.
The second probe is examining the case registered in Ayodhya and is expected to look further into the alleged irregularities surrounding the handling of temple donations.
How the Ram Temple donation controversy began
The controversy emerged on June 7, when Samajwadi Party leader Tej Narayan ‘Pawan’ Pandey alleged that between ₹5 crore and ₹7.5 crore in temple offerings had been siphoned off.
Following the allegations, the temple trust sought an investigation, leading to the constitution of the first SIT.
The preliminary inquiry examined various aspects of the temple’s donation management system, including collection boxes, cash counting, storage, accounting, access control and CCTV surveillance.
The inquiry subsequently flagged alleged irregularities in the handling of cash and valuables donated by devotees.
Trust received over ₹82 crore in donations
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was established following the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute.
According to details presented before the trust’s executive committee, it received donations of around ₹82.78 crore between April 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026.
With the second SIT investigation still underway, further action in the case will depend on its findings.
