Lawyers in Ayodhya have filed a police complaint against officials of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, citing alleged donation theft. An internal audit reportedly uncovered significant lapses in donation counting protocols. Former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra have resigned, with an emergency trust meeting scheduled for July 6 to address the management situation.
What Happened
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is facing internal and external scrutiny following a police complaint filed by members of the Faizabad Bar Association on Wednesday. The complaint requests the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against three key individuals: former general secretary Champat Rai, trustee Anil Mishra, and temple construction in-charge Gopal Rao. The allegations center on the reported theft of donations collected at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
This development follows the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, which were submitted on June 27. The legal action from the local bar association brings further attention to the governance and administrative practices within the trust.
Audit Failures and Security Lapses
The move by the lawyers follows an internal audit that reportedly highlighted critical failures in the donation management process. According to the findings, the audit identified lapses in basic security procedures, such as the failure to properly frisk personnel involved in the counting process. Additionally, the audit raised concerns regarding the security of the counting room and the failure to preserve CCTV footage, which are standard protocols for financial oversight. These findings have prompted questions about the robustness of the trust's internal controls and its ability to safeguard contributions.
Management Transition and Governance
The trust has scheduled an emergency meeting of all trustees for July 6 to address the current management crisis and determine the status of the resignations. According to the trust's bylaws, accepting the resignation of an office-bearer requires a two-thirds majority vote from the trustees. It is important to note that even if their resignations as office-bearers are accepted, Rai and Mishra would retain their positions as lifetime members of the trust under current rules. This meeting will be a critical monitorable to see how the trust plans to restructure its administration in the wake of the ongoing allegations.
Current Status of the Investigation
While the complaint seeks to initiate a formal police case against the officials, the police have indicated that Champat Rai is currently considered a witness rather than an accused party. Investigations have also linked a former driver, Ramshankar Yadav—also known as Tinnu Yadav—to the alleged fraud. Yadav is one of eight individuals arrested in connection with the case. Reports suggest that Rai has identified Yadav as the person who exploited his position to orchestrate the theft. The ongoing police investigation and the outcome of the July 6 trust meeting will be the key events to track regarding the stability and future governance of the institution.