The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, which manages the new temple in Ayodhya, has appointed a new interim general secretary after allegations that donations worth tens of millions of rupees were stolen during a box count.
General secretary Champat Rai has resigned and been replaced by retired forest officer Krishna Mohan, a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
The trust, which had earlier denied wrongdoing, held its first meeting on Monday following the emergence of a former accounts supervisor’s claim that the temple’s donation boxes were used to siphon funds. The state government set up a three‑member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations.
After an interim SIT report, the Ayodhya police registered an embezzlement case naming eight suspect officials. They were arrested and are under interrogation. The trust’s treasurer Govind Dev Giri said the SIT complaint was lodged on 25 June and that Rai and another official, Anil Mishra, had resigned.
Giri reported that from donations received until 31 March 2026 the trust collected 5.82 bn rupees ($61 m) and spent 3.19 bn rupees ($33 m) on the shrine’s upkeep.
The former accounts supervisor alleges more than 70 m rupees ($740 k) have gone missing. The case has triggered petitions in the state high court and Supreme Court for a court‑monitored investigation by federal police.
The trust is scheduled to meet again on 22 July, expecting the police to hand over their final report. The incident has damaged the trust’s image and stirred public distrust in the handling of priceless donations.
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