Ram temple trust blocks Champat Rai, others' VIP pass IDs amid probe

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has deactivated the digital IDs of former general secretary Champat Rai, trustee Anil Mishra and special invitee Gopal Rao that were used to issue VIP darshan passes.

According to sources associated with the temple administration, the new temple administration, headed by acting general secretary Krishna Mohan, took the decision as part of measures to curb alleged irregularities in the issuance of preferential entry passes.

With the IDs deactivated, no 'Sugam' or 'Vishisht Darshan' passes can now be generated through their digital credentials or recommendations.

The move comes amid an ongoing probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) into alleged financial irregularities at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

According to sources, the SIT has found that the digital IDs of trustees and senior office-bearers, which were meant to facilitate VIP darshan for devotees recommended by them, were allegedly misused to generate passes indiscriminately.

The investigation has allegedly revealed that one of the arrested accused, Tinnu Yadav, exploited this loophole to generate hundreds of unauthorised VIP darshan passes, the sources said.

Sources further alleged that some close associates of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra are also under the scanner for allegedly running a racket in the name of issuing VIP passes and earning lakhs of rupees illegally.

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