Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai has issued a letter detailing temple management and construction decisions. Nripendra Misra, who leads the Temple Construction Committee, has dismissed the letter as a "concocted story." This dispute follows Rai’s resignation in June 2026 and his recent clearance by an SIT in a donation theft case.
Champat Rai, the former General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, released a nine-page letter on August 21, 2026, outlining his views on the management and construction process of the Ram Mandir. The letter contains claims regarding the operational dynamics of the Temple Construction Committee, specifically asserting that decisions were often made unilaterally by the committee's chairman, Nripendra Misra.
In his statement, Rai addressed the division of responsibilities within the trust, emphasizing the need for transparency in administrative and construction-related decisions. He suggested that while the committee was intended to be the central authority for all major actions, the actual decision-making structure experienced friction regarding control and authority. The letter highlights historical aspects of the project, including the selection of construction agencies and architectural oversight, attempting to clarify the roles played by various members of the trust and external experts.
Shortly after the document surfaced, Nripendra Misra publicly refuted its contents. Misra stated that he had not seen the letter and categorically dismissed it as a "concocted story," denying any internal discord regarding the committee’s governance. This public exchange marks a visible disagreement between two key figures who have been central to the temple's development.
This development occurs against the backdrop of significant management changes within the trust. Champat Rai resigned from his position in June 2026, a move that coincided with a broader investigation into allegations of financial irregularities involving devotees' offerings. On August 18, 2026, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) granted a clean chit to Rai and fellow trustee Anil Mishra regarding these allegations, concluding that there was insufficient evidence to support the claims of donation theft.
Because the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is a religious and charitable institution and not a publicly listed commercial entity, these management disputes do not impact the stock market. However, the governance of the trust remains a matter of public interest. The current friction between senior leadership figures highlights challenges regarding administrative transparency and internal management protocols. Stakeholders and the public will be looking for clarity on how the trust addresses these administrative concerns and maintains operational continuity following the leadership transition earlier this year.