The resignation of Champat Rai from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has been formally accepted following the controversy surrounding the Ram Mandir donation theft case. However, despite his official departure, his influence within the temple management appears to remain significant. In a recent development, the responsibility for operating the trust's various bank accounts has been handed over to two of his most trusted associates, Chandan Rai and Jagdish Afle, who will work alongside the interim General Secretary, Krishna Mohan.
New Leadership and Account Management
Following the acceptance of resignations from Champat Rai and Anil Mishra on July 6, Krishna Mohan was appointed as the interim General Secretary. He's slated to oversee the entire operations of the trust until a permanent General Secretary is appointed. Given the complexity of managing multiple accounts across various banks, the trust has assigned CA Chandan Rai and Engineer Jagdish Afle to assist Krishna Mohan in financial operations. This move indicates that even though Champat Rai has severed formal ties with the trust, his inner circle continues to hold pivotal roles in the administrative framework.
Profiles of the Trusted Associates
Chandan Rai, a Chartered Accountant, has been associated with the trust for a long period. He has historically managed audits and other financial tasks under the direct supervision of Champat Rai. On the other hand, Jagdish Afle is an engineer hailing from Maharashtra. He arrived in Ayodhya during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony and has remained there since, actively participating in various temple management activities as a close collaborator of Champat Rai. Their continued involvement suggests a continuity of the previous administrative style despite the change in leadership.
Champat Rai's Statement to the SIT
In the wake of the donation theft investigation, Champat Rai has shifted the focus toward the State Bank of India (SBI). In a one-page written statement submitted in Hindi to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), Rai alleged that while bank rules were violated, these lapses were never addressed, while he pointed out that all banks in the country maintain strict protocols for chest rooms, which include mandatory searches of personnel during entry and exit, as well as the requirement to wear uniforms without pockets.
Allegations of Negligence Against SBI
Rai claimed that the bank failed to implement these essential security measures despite them being explicitly mentioned in the guideline letters, while he further asserted that the uniforms initially provided by the bank actually contained pockets, which directly contradicts the safety protocols for chest rooms. Rai has demanded that senior bank officials explain how such significant laxity was permitted in the management of the chest room, suggesting that the bank's failure to follow its own rules contributed to the situation.