Ram Temple Donation Row: VHP Chief Says Champat Rai ‘May Be Guilty Of Negligence’

Last Updated:July 02, 2026, 08:40 IST

VHP Chief said that Champat Rai would be guilty of negligence but stressed that no allegations have yet been levelled against him in the case.

Ram Temple Donation Row: As the probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya intensifies, Vishwa Hindu Parishad international president Alok Kumar has asserted that the organisation would wait for the outcome of the investigation before deciding whether to take action against its international vice-president, Champat Rai, while acknowledging that Rai “may be guilty of negligence."

In an inteview with Hindustan Times, the VHP chief said that the alleged theft had deeply hurt the sentiments of Hindus and called for a thorough investigation by the police and the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

“What has happened is very unfortunate. And it has hurt the sentiments of the Hindus across the globe. There is no question of finding any excuses or trying to defend it," Kumar said, adding that the probe should cover “all angles and individuals" against whom allegations have emerged.

Responding to questions about Rai’s role, Kumar said that the former temple trust general secretary would be guilty of negligence but stressed that no allegations have yet been levelled against Rai in the case.

“I’m admitting that he may be guilty of negligence. You want me to dismiss him (Rai) today without the result of the investigation probe but no one has accused Rai yet. The allegations are on his driver," he told the news outlet.

He noted that the allegations currently centre on Rai’s driver, who has been arrested, allegedly possessed the keys to the temple’s strong room, and from whom police have recovered money.

Kumar also rejected suggestions that the VHP should immediately disassociate itself from Rai, saying the organisation would wait until investigators reached their conclusions.

“The VHP has proactively demanded an investigation which is going on… We shall wait for investigations to reach some conclusions and then consider this matter. Let his role be found out by an appropriate inquiry," he said.

The VHP chief also distanced the organisation from the functioning of the temple trust, saying the VHP’s role ended after the Supreme Court’s verdict clearing the way for the temple’s construction. “We are not accountable for it. The day the Supreme Court judgment came, I had clarified that the job of the VHP is over. Construction of the temple and the running of it is not our job," Kumar said, adding that attempts to link the VHP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Prime Minister’s Office to the controversy were politically motivated.

What’s The Case?

The case centres on allegations that cash and valuables donated to the temple may have been misappropriated. Questions have been raised over the handling of 70 kg of silver, 1,250 kg of gold, Rs 200 crore in cash and other donated items, including offerings linked to Lord Ram’s idol and sacred padukas.

Champat Rai resigned as the former general secretary of the temple trust following the SIT probe into the alleged donation theft. Meanwhile, lawyers in Ayodhya are preparing to file a complaint against Champat Rai demanding registration of an FIR over the alleged irregularities.

Investigators are examining multiple aspects of the case, including the role of an outsourcing agency that allegedly handled personnel involved in the donation counting process despite an MoU between the trust and the State Bank of India (SBI) governing the counting mechanism.

Investigators are also examining whether employees deployed through the outsourcing agency had undergone mandatory police verification and other background checks.

Sources said police are assessing the movable and immovable assets of the accused, as any financial losses suffered by the Ram Temple Trust could potentially be recovered from their properties if the allegations are established.

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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