Ayodhya’s Ram temple donation irregularities case has intensified after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested eight people linked to the handling of offerings, prompting resignations from senior trust functionaries.
According to the report, the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s general secretary, Champat Rai, resigned on moral grounds. Trustee Anil Mishra also stepped down as the probe widened.
The SIT—set up on June 14 on the trust administration’s request—has been questioning temple staff and priests for several days. Investigators also imposed restrictions preventing those questioned from leaving Ayodhya.
Those arrested include employees involved in counting donations, the head and supervisor of the counting work (including a retired bank officer), and Ramshankar Yadav, described as the driver and close aide of Champat Rai. The report alleges Ramshankar Yadav played a key role in the irregularities.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the government would act firmly once the SIT report is received, stressing that no one involved would be spared. He also accused opposition parties of politicising the issue and said the state would not tolerate any act that undermines public faith.
