The role of Champat Rai, former General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, has come under intense scrutiny following the Special Investigation Team's (SIT) probe into the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Rai resigned from his post on Friday after the SIT arrested eight individuals in connection with the case, some of whom are reportedly considered close associates of his.
According to sources, the SIT examined CCTV footage recorded between April 27 and June 5 and found that employees involved in counting temple donations were allegedly seen stealing cash on nearly 70 occasions over a span of 40 days. The report reportedly claims that those arrested had been assigned to the donation-counting process based on recommendations made by Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra.
The investigation has also raised questions over the recruitment process within the temple administration. Sources allege that Anil Mishra facilitated the appointment of several close associates without adequate background verification, while individuals recommended by Rai were entrusted with key responsibilities related to handling donations.
According to sources familiar with the SIT report, Champat Rai did not directly supervise the temple's surveillance or donation-counting operations, having delegated those responsibilities to other officials. However, the report reportedly alleges that he ignored repeated complaints regarding suspected thefts despite being informed about several incidents.
The SIT is also said to have questioned why earlier instances of cash recovery did not result in police complaints. Investigators reportedly believe that several of the accused were closely associated with Rai and had been appointed to sensitive positions on his recommendation.
Among the eight arrested, only Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav and Subhash Srivastava were employees of the Ram Temple Trust. The remaining accused were reportedly employed by the State Bank of India (SBI), which assists in counting donations at the temple.
Sources further claimed that investigators have also raised questions regarding the increase in trustee Anil Mishra's assets after assuming his role, although no official findings have been announced on this aspect.
The SIT report reportedly identifies Ram Shankar Yadav, popularly known as Tinnu Yadav, as the central figure in the alleged theft. According to sources, he possessed the keys to the donation storage boxes and exercised significant influence over the temple's administrative affairs, including recruitment, selection of personnel for donation counting, and even decisions regarding police deployment within the temple premises.
Another accused, Ramashankar Mishra, was allegedly recruited on Tinnu Yadav's recommendation. Initially posted at the temple's facilitation centre, he was later assigned to donation counting. CCTV footage reportedly captured him stealing cash on multiple occasions, according to investigators.
The SIT report further alleges that all eight accused, including Tinnu Yadav, Manish Yadav, Lav Kush Mishra, and Anukalp Mishra, were aware of the locations of CCTV cameras and identified blind spots inside the donation-counting centre. Investigators claim that cameras were at times switched off or deliberately obstructed while cash was allegedly being stolen.
However, the accused were reportedly unaware of a concealed surveillance camera installed inside the counting room. According to the SIT, footage from this hidden camera played a crucial role in exposing the alleged theft and became a key piece of evidence in the investigation.
The allegations contained in the SIT report are currently under investigation and have not been adjudicated in court. At the time of writing, neither Champat Rai nor Anil Mishra had issued an official response to the allegations.
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