Why Champat Rai's Resignation Doesn't End His Stake In Ram Mandir Trust

Ayodhya: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will hold its key meeting on July 6 amid the ongoing probe into the alleged embezzlement of donation funds, During the meeting, trustees will make decisions on the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra. Both resigned from their respective posts June 27.The Uttar Pradesh police on Tuesday reportedly questioned Rai for nearly three hours as part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged theft of temple offerings. According to sources, investigators questioned the former Ram Mandir Trust General Secretary on a range of issues, including administrative decisions, the management of temple offerings, staff accountability, and the mechanism for addressing grievances.

His statement will now be cross-verified with the testimonies of other witnesses and available documentary evidence.

How Voting On Rai and Mishra’s Resignations Will Take Place?

Under the by-laws, a two-third majority in the trust is required to accept a resignation. As per these rules an office-bearer can only be relieved of their post and responsibilities. Even if Rai's resignation is accepted, he will continue to remain a member of the trust. At present, two of the trust's 14 members have already resigned. Therefore, the opinions of the remaining 12 trustees will be considered during the meeting.

Latest In The Ram Temple Donation Probe:

The probe into the alleged theft of donation funds of the temple intensified with the special investigation team (SIT) questioning eight arrested accused in the case. Sources claimed that the SIT will now scrutinize the audits conducted by the temple trust over the past five years.As part of this exercise, the SIT will identify lapses, irregularities, or shortcomings in the audit process. Notably, the SIT has also recovered some crucial evidence during the probe. Senior office-bearers of the Temple Trust could come under the scanner as the investigation widens in the matter. The SIT will also examine construction-related works undertaken by the trust. The SIT is scheduled to submit its report to the Uttar Pradesh government on July 15.Meanwhile, round 10 people, including the temple administrator Gopal Rao, have been questioned in connection with the case, claimed sources. Police have even conducted raids at the ancestral homes of the three arrested accused and recovered a trunk along with important documents.The sources further revealed that the raids were carried out at the native villages of the arrested accused—Lavkush, Anukalp, and Karunesh—in Milkipur, Khandasa, and Rudauli. The police also took Lavkush's father, Bacchulal Mishra, into custody.The police had filed an application on Wednesday seeking 48-hour custodial interrogation of one of the accused, Avinash Shuklaa.