The Special Investigation Team has cleared former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust officials Champat Rai and Anil Mishra of any wrongdoing in the donation theft case. Eight staff members involved in handling offerings have been arrested. As the Trust is a non-profit religious organization, this development does not impact any stock market investments.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing allegations of theft and financial irregularities at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir has officially cleared former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra of any criminal wrongdoing. The final investigation report, submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government, excludes both individuals from the list of accused in the case involving the misappropriation of devotees' offerings.
While the top officials have been exonerated, the SIT has identified and arrested eight other individuals in connection with the theft. These individuals were part of the operational team responsible for counting and transporting donations received at the temple. The investigation focused on systemic lapses in the collection, custody, and transfer of these funds, which had come under intense scrutiny following the initial allegations.
Governance and Transparency Context
It is important for the public and donors to note that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is a non-profit religious organization and not a publicly traded company. Consequently, it has no share price, stock exchange filings, or quarterly financial results. The scrutiny regarding this probe relates to governance, administrative transparency, and the integrity of charitable fund management rather than corporate financial performance.
Both Champat Rai and Anil Mishra had resigned from their positions at the Trust in late June 2026 amid the growing controversy surrounding the theft allegations. Their resignations were subsequently accepted by the Trust, which had itself requested the formation of the SIT to conduct an independent and impartial inquiry.
Ongoing Oversight
Despite the clearance of the former top officials, the matter remains subject to legal and administrative oversight. The investigation, which began under a cloud of controversy, has also drawn the attention of the Supreme Court of India. While the current SIT report clears Rai and Mishra, a separate, independent probe into the wider financial systems of the Trust continues under the supervision of the Supreme Court to ensure full accountability. The next critical update for observers and stakeholders will be the status of this ongoing Supreme Court-monitored investigation and any subsequent administrative reforms the Trust may implement to tighten its internal audit and donation handling processes.