Ram Temple Donation Scam: Champat Rai Questioned For Over 3 Hours, Denies Role In Alleged Embezzlement

Last Updated:June 30, 2026, 07:11 IST

Police questioned former Ram Temple Trust official Champat Rai for over three hours as he denied any role in the alleged donation scam.

The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya gathered pace on Monday, with police recording the statement of former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai for more than three hours.

During the questioning, Rai denied any involvement in the alleged scam and told investigators that he had never imagined employees entrusted with handling temple donations could commit such an offence.

According to the latest developments, investigators questioned Rai in detail over the alleged irregularities in the handling of temple donations.

Sources said he maintained that he had no role in the alleged embezzlement and expressed surprise that those working with the Trust could allegedly indulge in such a scam.

Police have also issued notices to Trust members Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao as part of the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, the Trust has advanced its meeting to July 6, when it is expected to take a decision on the resignations submitted by Rai and Anil Mishra.

The case came to light after allegations of large-scale embezzlement of donations received at the Ram Temple.

An FIR was subsequently registered, following which eight people associated with the counting of cash and valuables donated by devotees were arrested.

The accused have been identified as Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav.

They are currently in judicial custody after being produced before a special anti-corruption court through video conferencing.

Defending Rai and the Trust, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) said the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust itself had sought a fair investigation into the alleged embezzlement.

According to PTI, VHP international president Alok Kumar said the Trust first carried out an internal inquiry, identified suspected irregularities, recovered Rs 80 lakh and requested the Uttar Pradesh government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The VHP further claimed that Rai had fully cooperated with investigators and had himself told the SIT that the truth should come out, even offering to be questioned first.

It also maintained that the FIR was lodged by the Trust only after the SIT submitted its preliminary findings.

According to the organisation, Rai and Trust member Anil Mishra voluntarily stepped down from their positions to ensure that there was no allegation of influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence during the investigation.

The controversy has also triggered strong reactions from the legal fraternity in Ayodhya.

The Faizabad Bar Association announced that none of its members would represent the eight arrested accused and resolved to impose a Rs 5 lakh penalty on any lawyer violating the decision.

The association has also demanded that Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao leave Ayodhya within three days, failing which it has threatened to blockade the city.

It further said it would seek registration of an FIR against the three under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and approach the courts for a CBI investigation into the alleged scam.

Separately, a petition seeking a time-bound probe by a CBI-led multidisciplinary team came up before the Supreme Court.

However, the vacation bench declined an urgent hearing and directed that the matter be listed after the court reopens following the summer break.

The Uttar Pradesh government had earlier constituted the SIT after the Trust requested an investigation into the allegations of misappropriation of donations.

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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