Ram Mandir trust chief Champat Rai resigns as 8 arrested in donation theft probe
Mangalore Today News Network
UP, Jun 26, 2026: Amid the ongoing probe into the Ram Mandir alleged embezzlement of donations, temple trust chief Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, one of the trustees of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, resigned on Friday.
The development comes a day after eight people were arrested in connection with the case, including ounting staff, the head of the counting operation, a retired banker who supervised the process, and Ram Mandir Trust General Secretary Champat Rai’s driver and close associate, Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu.
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FIR Registered in Ram Temple Donation Scam Case
An FIR was lodged on June 25 in connection with the alleged misappropriation of donations collected at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The case has been registered under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61 and 3(5), following directions issued by the Uttar Pradesh government.
Earlier, on June 14, the state government had constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged irregularities in donation funds after a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Trust. The FIR was filed on the basis of the SIT’s preliminary findings.
Yogi Adityanath Accuses Opposition Of Politicising Issue
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday criticised opposition parties over their remarks on the alleged donation scam, accusing them of attempting to derive political mileage from the controversy. He said those who had opposed the construction of the Ram Temple were now seeking to exploit the matter for political purposes.
Addressing a public gathering in Deoria during the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of 106 development projects worth over ₹456 crore, the Chief Minister asserted that his government follows a “zero-tolerance" approach towards any act that undermines public faith. He also took aim at those raising questions on matters associated with Lord Ram, stressing that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty of betraying devotees’ trust.
What Is The Case About?
The case concerns the alleged misappropriation of donations offered by devotees at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. Investigators suspect that individuals involved in handling and counting the offerings diverted funds for personal gain. Among those named in the FIR is the official overseeing cash counting at the temple’s pilgrim facilitation centre. The accused have been booked for theft, cheating, criminal breach of trust and conspiracy.
How Did The Alleged Scam Come To Light?
The alleged irregularities came under scrutiny after claims emerged that a portion of the temple’s donation collections was missing. Amid growing controversy, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust sought a government inquiry into the matter.
On June 14, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations. The panel submitted its preliminary report on June 23, leading to the registration of an FIR against eight people two days later.