AYODHYA: Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai on Tuesday broke his silence over the Ram Temple donation embezzlement controversy by releasing an open letter addressed to Ram devotees, saying he would respond to every allegation only after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) completes its probe.In the letter, posted on X, Champat Rai said that while CCTV footage showing alleged theft during the counting of donations had triggered widespread public discussion and several allegations had been levelled against him personally, he had chosen to observe maun vrata (a vow of silence) until the investigation reaches its conclusion.He also said the preliminary SIT report, which was presented at the Trust’s meeting held on July 6, was “highly confidential” but had since entered the public domain.
Full text of Champat Rai’s open letter
An open letter from Champat Rai to Ram devoteesRegarding the counting of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on June 10, 2025, the incidents of theft captured on CCTV and brought into the public domain have become the subject of widespread discussion. Several allegations have also been levelled against me.I am observing maun vrata (a vow of silence). The SIT report was presented at the Trust’s meeting convened on July 6 and has since been made public, even though it was highly confidential.I assure you that I will respond categorically to each and every point after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submits its final report. The truth will prevail.I have been serving in Ayodhya since 1971 after being deputed here by the Sangathan. My life and work over the past 45 years have been an open book.Greetings to everyone.Rai’s statement comes a day after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust accepted his resignation as general secretary, along with that of trustee Anil Mishra, following a meeting of the trust.The trust has also decided that Gopal Rao, also known as Gopal Nagarkatte, will no longer be invited to its meetings, Mahant Kamal Nayan Das, successor to trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, said.Meanwhile, an Ayodhya court has granted police one day’s custody of three accused — Lavkush Mishra, Anukalp Mishra and Karunesh Pandey—for further interrogation in the Ram Temple donation embezzlement case.Police had sought seven days’ custody, arguing that custodial interrogation was necessary to take the investigation forward. The Investigating Officer told the court that questioning the accused was essential for further progress in the case.The developments come after the Special Investigation Team (SIT), in its preliminary report submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government, found prima facie evidence of theft and pilferage during the counting of donations at the temple.According to the report, CCTV footage recorded between April 27 and June 5 allegedly shows counting personnel repeatedly concealing bundles of currency notes and loose cash inside their clothes, pockets, shoes and other hidden places. It also captures instances where other employees allegedly assisted or shielded such activities.The SIT said the available footage documents around 70 alleged instances of theft or pilferage during the period under review.Based on CCTV footage, recovery records, financial documents and witness statements, the report identified Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey and Ramashankar Mishra as having prima facie involvement. It stated that Avinash Shukla and Manish Kumar Yadav were repeatedly seen removing or concealing cash, while the others were allegedly seen assisting or engaging in similar acts.(With agency inputs)
