In a significant development concerning the alleged donation irregularities at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, Champat Rai, the General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and Trustee Dr. Anil Mishra have resigned from their respective positions, while the resignations took place on Friday following instructions from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). This major shakeup in the trust's leadership comes at a time when the investigation into the alleged theft of offerings and donations has intensified, putting the officials under immense pressure from both the opposition and the ongoing legal proceedings.
The Context of Resignations
The resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra are linked to the controversy surrounding the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple. Champat Rai had been facing significant heat from opposition parties since the matter came to light. The decision to step down was reportedly made after the VHP directed them to do so to maintain the sanctity of the institution, while these developments occurred shortly after the first FIR was registered based on the preliminary report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government. The SIT has been actively probing the matter to uncover the extent of the financial discrepancies.
CM Yogi Adityanath's Zero Tolerance Stance
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the issue on Friday during a program in Deoria, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy against anyone tampering with public faith. He stated, "We will work under the policy of zero tolerance against those who play with public faith. Ayodhya is a symbol of faith for all of us, while don't cast aspersions on Ayodhya. Learn to follow the dignity of Shri Ram. I had said that action would be taken once the SIT report was submitted. " His statement underscores the government's commitment to a transparent investigation and strict action against those found guilty.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
Following the registration of the FIR on Thursday, the Ayodhya police have arrested 8 accused individuals, including Tinnu Yadav, who served as Champat Rai's driver. The police are currently recording the statements of all eight named accused. According to police sources, the investigation is presently proceeding based on the complainant's allegations. However, the sources added that if the names of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra surface during the investigation, they may be summoned for questioning. The police are also awaiting the full SIT report, which could potentially lead to more names being added to the investigation.
Details of the Accused and the SIT
The FIR was lodged based on a complaint by trust member Krishna Mohan. The named accused include Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav, Anukalp Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Karunesh Pandey, Lavkush Mishra, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Manish Kumar Yadav, along with some unidentified individuals. The case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including theft, criminal breach of trust, and criminal conspiracy. The SIT, formed on June 13 under the Chief Minister's direction, consists of Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, Inspector General of Police Kiran S, and Special Secretary of the Finance Department Neel Ratan. The team submitted its preliminary report on June 23, recommending stringent action.
Political Reactions and Money Trail
The matter gained political momentum after Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav raised the issue on June 7, citing a news report and demanding judicial intervention. AAP MP Sanjay Singh also targeted the trust, questioning why the "donation thieves" were being protected and demanding the imprisonment of those involved in the alleged theft during construction and land purchases. Meanwhile, the police are expanding the scope of the investigation by scrutinizing the bank accounts of all accused to establish a money trail. As more facts emerge, the investigation is expected to broaden further to ensure all culprits are brought to justice.