Ram Mandir Trust Meeting Underway: Champat Rai’s Resignation, SIT Probe Findings On Agenda

Last Updated:July 06, 2026, 15:26 IST

The meeting, convened by treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri, is being chaired by Trust President Mahant Nritya Gopal Das and attended by senior trustees, government representatives.

Ram Mandir Trust Meeting: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is holding a crucial meeting in the temple premises in Ayodhya amid ongoing investigations into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the holy shrine.

The meeting, the trust’s most significant since its formation in 2020, is expected to focus on the probe and proposed governance reforms. This will be the first time all trustees are expected to meet face-to-face since allegations surfaced over the alleged misappropriation of donations collected through the Trust’s donation boxes.

Who All Are Attending?

The meeting, convened by Trust treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri, is being chaired by Trust President Mahant Nritya Gopal Das and attended by senior trustees, government representatives and legal experts.

Giri has invited all regular and ex-officio members to attend the meeting. The ex-officio members include Union Home Ministry Additional Secretary Prashant Lokhande, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Prasad, Ayodhya District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi and former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nripendra Mishra.

Mishra, who is also serving as the temple construction committee chairman, is attending the meeting virtually instead of in person, after a last-minute change in plans, sources said.

According to sources, Mishra was initially expected to be physically present for the meeting but decided to join through a webcam at the eleventh hour. While no official reason has been cited for the change, sources indicated that the decision comes against the backdrop of growing anger and resentment among sections of sadhus and saints towards the former bureaucrat

What’s On Agenda?

According to temple trust sources, the first major agenda item will be deliberations on the resignations submitted by Champat Rai and trustee Dr Anil Mishra.

Both stepped down after their names were linked to the donation theft controversy, although no criminal case has been registered against either of them. But the resignations cannot be accepted immediately under existing bylaws. The trust is expected to issue show-cause notices to both leaders, seeking detailed explanations before deciding on their future.

If the trustees accept the resignations, the meeting is also expected to discuss a new administrative structure for the Trust’s functioning. The role of special invitee Gopal Rao is also likely to come up during the discussions.

Another key item on the agenda is the presentation on the interim findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the alleged embezzlement of donations collected through the Trust’s donation boxes. The SIT’s tenure has been extended till the end of July to continue its inquiry. Meanwhile, the police are separately investigating the case after registering an FIR based on the Trust’s complaint.

The trust is also expected to approve its audited balance sheet and other financial statements for the 2025-26 financial year. Trustees will review the Trust’s income, expenditure and other financial records before giving their approval.

Besides financial matters, the meeting is likely to discuss the future management of the Ram temple, including the possible appointment of a chief executive officer (CEO) to oversee its administration.

About the Author

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre...Read More

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