Ayodhya, July 6, 2026: The Ram Mandir Trust meeting began inside the temple complex on Monday to discuss the resignations of former general secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra amid the ongoing SIT probe into alleged donation irregularities.
The meeting comes at a crucial moment for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, as trustees review the donation-box accounting controversy, the preliminary findings of the investigation and possible steps to restore public confidence.
Ram Mandir Trust Meeting Takes Up Champat Rai, Anil Mishra Resignations
The meeting was chaired by Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das and began around 3.30 pm inside the Ram Mandir complex. Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, whose resignations are under consideration, were not present at the session.
Trust treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri placed the agenda before members and formally moved the proposal to consider the resignations. A final announcement was expected after the Trust completed its internal procedure.
Both Champat Rai and Anil Mishra had stepped down on June 26, and their resignations were confirmed a day later. The Trust is expected to decide whether to accept the resignations and whether any further administrative action is needed.
Donation Theft Probe Dominates Trust Agenda
Before taking up the resignations, trustees discussed the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case, which has triggered public concern over the handling and accounting of devotees’ offerings.
According to sources cited in reports, several trustees expressed concern that the controversy had affected the Trust’s credibility and hurt the sentiments of devotees. Members also discussed the need to prevent confusion and misinformation from spreading around the case.
Swami Govind Dev Giri reportedly acknowledged lapses in the system and said safeguards must be strengthened so that such incidents are not repeated. The Trust also expressed confidence in the SIT probe being conducted by the Uttar Pradesh government.
SIT Report, Audit And Accountability Under Review
The Special Investigation Team is examining the counting and accounting of donations received through Ram Mandir donation boxes. Officials said former Trust functionaries, including Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, have already been questioned as part of the investigation.
The controversy began after alleged irregularities surfaced on June 7. An FIR was registered on June 25 based on the SIT’s preliminary findings, and at least eight people associated with donation-counting operations have been arrested.
The SIT is also carrying out a wider re-audit of the Trust’s accounts over the past five years. The review includes cash collections as well as offerings such as gold, silver, jewellery and other valuables.
Why The Meeting Matters For Devotees
The Ram Mandir Trust meeting is being closely watched because the issue is not only administrative but deeply emotional for millions of devotees who contributed money and offerings with faith.
Trust members reportedly stressed that protecting the sanctity of the temple and the trust of devotees should remain the top priority. The discussions also focused on stronger checks, clearer accounting procedures and greater vigilance in future donation handling.
The Trust may also consider possible replacements for the vacant positions, though no final decision had been announced at the time of writing.
Court Proceedings Shift To Video Link
In a related development, legal proceedings in the donation theft case have seen a procedural change. Following a request from Ayodhya Police, a special court hearing corruption cases has directed that the accused be produced through video conferencing for future hearings.
The move came after protests by lawyers during earlier court appearances. The accused will now join proceedings from Ayodhya jail during police custody remand hearings.
What Happens Next
The Trust is expected to issue a formal update after completing discussions on the resignations, the SIT report and future administrative safeguards.
For now, the key focus remains on three questions: whether Champat Rai and Anil Mishra’s resignations will be accepted, whether the Trust will announce new accountability measures, and how quickly the SIT probe will establish the full scale of the alleged donation irregularities.
