Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Controversy: SIT Clears Champat Rai and Anil Mishra

Investigation Update on Ram Temple Donations

In Ayodhya, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) looking into the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple has exonerated Champat Rai, the former general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, along with Anil Mishra, a former member of the Trust.

Following accusations regarding the mishandling of temple donations, both Rai and Mishra resigned from their positions on June 27. They were later interrogated by the SIT as part of the ongoing investigation into the temple's donation management.

Reports indicate that the Uttar Pradesh Home Department submitted the SIT's final report regarding the donation theft allegations to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for further proceedings.

During the investigation, Rai reportedly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he had filed a complaint about the suspected theft, which led to the arrest of the accused individuals.

He emphasized that it was his duty to ensure transparency and prevent any irregularities in donation collection, and he acted promptly upon learning of the alleged misconduct.

The Uttar Pradesh government established the three-member SIT on June 13 at the request of the temple trust, prior to the Supreme Court's involvement in the case.

The investigation team was led by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant, with Inspector General of Police Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan Kumar also serving as members.

The SIT presented its initial findings to the state government on June 23, which included several recommendations that prompted further actions in the case.

Based on these preliminary findings, Trust member Krishnamohan filed a formal complaint at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi police station, resulting in an FIR on June 25 that named eight individuals and others who remain unidentified.

The individuals named in the FIR include Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ram Shankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu.

All accused have been apprehended and charged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The preliminary report from the SIT also laid the groundwork for subsequent FIRs and arrests related to the alleged donation irregularities.