Amid the controversy triggered by allegations of embezzlement of donations in the Ram Mandir, Ayodhya, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra (Trust) finally addressed the issue by releasing a statement on Friday (27th June). The Trust confirmed that Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra have resigned from their posts.
“We are shocked, hurt, and deeply saddened by the incidents reported over the past few days regarding the Shri Ram Mandir (Ayodhya). We are committed to ensuring a fair investigation and reassuring the devotees,” the Trust said in the statement.
The statement said that a decision on the resignations of Rai and Mishra, whether to accept them, will be taken at the next meeting of the trust.
The Trust added, “Regarding the incident concerning funds collected from the temple’s donation boxes, the Trust has lodged an FIR based on the interim report submitted by the SIT (Special Investigation Team) constituted by the U.P. Government at the Trust’s request; appropriate legal action is currently underway.”
The statement further said, “We assure everyone that we will take measures to prevent any such unfortunate situation from arising in the future. We will insist that the perpetrators receive strict legal punishment. We will not allow attempts by anti-social, irreligious, or selfish elements to tarnish the image of Sanatan Dharma to succeed.”
The Trust assured the devotees that the valuables received in donations by the temple have been stored with proper safety. “The Trust assures those devotees who personally handed over items—such as silver bricks and jewellery—to Trust officials for offering to Lord Ram that these items are safe and fully accounted for,” it said.
श्री राम जन्मभूमि तीर्थ क्षेत्र के कोषाध्यक्ष पूज्य स्वामी गोविन्द देव गिरी जी महाराज का वक्तव्य
— Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (@ShriRamTeerth) June 27, 2026
Statement by the Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Pujya Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj pic.twitter.com/I8goCrrEt9
“We assure everyone that steps will be taken to ensure that such an unfortunate situation does not arise in the future. The offenders should receive appropriate legal punishment so that it serves as a deterrent. We will not allow antisocial, irreligious, and self-interested elements to succeed in harming Sanatan Dharma,” the Trust added.
Some major developments took place yesterday (26th June) in connection with the Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case. The police arrested eight temple functionaries, who were named as accused in the FIR filed in the case. The resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra also came on the same day. Cash amounting to around ₹80 lakh has been recovered from the houses of 7 accused.
