"The Truth Will Come Out": Champat Rai Breaks Silence on Ram Temple Donation Theft Allegations

Champat Rai, the former general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, has publicly responded for the first time to allegations linked to theft during the counting of donations at the Ram Temple complex in Ayodhya. His statement came after the Trust accepted his resignation and announced administrative changes following a preliminary SIT report into the matter.

In a handwritten letter posted on X, Rai said he had stayed silent so far because the Trust wanted the Special Investigation Team's preliminary findings to be verified before public comments were made. He said the report had now been made public, but urged people to wait for the final outcome of the investigation before drawing conclusions.

Champat Rai says truth will come out after SIT probe

Rai said there had been "much speculation" about the theft reported during the counting of donations from the donation box at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple complex since June 6, 2026. He added that he had personally faced several unfair allegations in connection with the issue.

"I chose to remain silent because, as per the Trust's wishes, an SIT (Special Investigation Team) submitted its preliminary report for verification. That report has now been made public," Rai wrote in the Hindi letter, according to the contents shared publicly.

He also said that the preliminary report was initially confidential and that people should not treat it as the last word. "Everyone should wait for the SIT's final decision. After the investigation is completed, appropriate responses should be given to all the misinformation and misconceptions being spread. The truth will come out in due course," Rai said.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader used the letter to underline his long association with Ayodhya and the Ram Temple movement. "I have been serving in Ayodhya through the organisation since October 1991. My public life of about 45 years has always been like an open book, wherever I have worked. I respectfully bow before the truth," he wrote.

धीरज धर्म मित्र अरु नारी,
आपद काल परिखिअहिं चारी। pic.twitter.com/PHtGs95ass

— Champat Rai (@ChampatRaiVHP) July 7, 2026

Ram Temple Trust accepts resignations, orders changes

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday accepted the resignations of Champat Rai as general secretary and Anil Mishra as trustee. The decisions were taken at a meeting held at the Ram Mandir complex in Ayodhya, where the Trust also moved to change its administrative structure.

According to a statement issued by the Trust in Hindi, the SIT's preliminary report identified eight people against whom cases were filed. The statement said arrests followed after the Trust initiated legal action based on the findings. It also said Rai and Mishra resigned on moral grounds, and their resignations were accepted.

The Trust also decided to remove administrator Gopal Rao and announced the formation of a three-member committee to identify a chief executive officer. The panel includes Justice (retired) Permod Kohli, retired Army Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and Suresh Haware.

The meeting began around 3.15 pm and ended by 6.30 pm. Seven Trust members attended in person, while two joined virtually. Rai and Mishra did not attend the meeting. The decisions marked the strongest institutional response so far to the allegations surrounding temple donations.

Why the donation row matters beyond Ayodhya

The Ram Temple in Ayodhya is not only a major religious site but also one of the most closely watched public religious projects in India. Donations to the temple have come from across the country, making transparency in their handling a sensitive issue for devotees, religious organisations and political observers.

Any allegation of irregularity in temple donations carries reputational risks for the Trust, which was set up to oversee the construction and management of the temple. The Trust's latest decisions appear aimed at showing that it is willing to act against lapses and review its internal systems.

The issue also has wider political significance, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where the Ram Temple remains a deeply emotive subject. With assembly elections expected early next year, developments around the temple's management are likely to attract close attention from political parties, religious groups and voters.

At this stage, the allegations remain tied to the SIT investigation and the preliminary report. The Trust has said action has been initiated against eight individuals identified in the report. Rai, however, has maintained that final conclusions should wait until the investigation is completed.

The creation of a committee to select a CEO suggests that the Trust may be looking to professionalise daily administration and strengthen oversight. Such a move could help separate operational management from religious and representative roles, especially as the temple continues to receive large public attention and donations.

For devotees, the immediate concern is whether temple donations are being counted, recorded and protected under a reliable system. For the Trust, the challenge is to restore confidence while allowing the investigation to proceed without political or public pressure shaping the outcome.

Rai's statement does not directly address the details of the alleged theft, but it signals that he intends to contest what he sees as misinformation after the probe is complete. The Trust's actions have already changed its leadership structure. The final SIT findings will now be central to determining accountability in the donation row.