Lucknow: The omission of former Ram Temple Belief normal secretary Champat Rai’s title within the Particular Investigation Crew’s (SIT) preliminary report into the alleged misappropriation of donations on the Ram temple has sparked sharp criticism from opposition leaders who insist that senior officers are being protected.
Aam Aadmi Social gathering (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh alleged that the SIT was intentionally attempting to guard Champat Rai. His resignation as Secretary Common of Shri Ram Janbhoomi Tyasu Kshetra Belief was accepted earlier this weekRegardless of taking part in a central function within the temple’s operations.
There was a “utterly” dishonest try to avoid wasting Champat Rai by means of the SIT report, he instructed ThePrint. “He’s essentially the most accountable individual as he was the overall secretary of the belief, from buying land close to the temple to creating the temple campus and monitoring the temple. Chadawa The whole lot (choices, and many others.) was accomplished underneath his supervision. ”
“The land bought across the Ram temple was registered within the title of Champat Rai. Even a plot of land, almost 6 km away from the temple, has his title within the registration data. If he was supervising the development and administration of the temple, why is he exempted from the SIT’s preliminary probe? It’s incomprehensible,” he mentioned.
The SIT, which is investigating the alleged donation theft, submitted a confidential report back to the Uttar Pradesh authorities late final month. In response to particulars of the preliminary findings now accessible, they aren’t talked about within the report. Champat Rai pointed to belief member Anil Mishra’s “neglect” in overseeing implementation of donation aggregation methods, safety preparations and commonplace working procedures (SOPs).
The SIT questioned Champat Rai twice throughout the investigation, however his title was not talked about within the preliminary report nor within the FIR registered within the case.
Singh additionally accused the BJP and VHP leaders of attempting to defend Champat Rai. Referring to the assertion of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya The allegations in opposition to Champat Rai are mentioned to be politically motivated and mirror the grievances of the opposition events.Singh mentioned the ruling get together is ignoring respectable questions with out addressing them.
Maurya additionally mentioned that the police have already registered a case in opposition to the culprits suspected of stealing the donations and investigation is underway in opposition to the precise culprits.
Temple Belief Treasurer Govind Giri throughout media interplay in Ayodhya on tuesday, He mentioned that the capabilities of the temple have been primarily underneath the supervision of Champat Rai. He acknowledged that errors had been made throughout the administration, saying Rai “trusted the fallacious folks.”
“We are able to maintain him accountable, however we do not query his character. There was definitely dysfunction, which is why his resignation was unanimously accepted,” Giri mentioned.
Former Samajwadi Social gathering MLA from Ayodhya Pawan Pandey additionally alleged that the authorities have been attempting to guard Champat Rai.
“This report was fastidiously crafted to guard Champat Rai. Components of the preliminary report have been selectively leaked in order that smaller gamers have been blamed whereas greater fish have been protected. If Champat Rai is concerned, he might reveal the names of these sitting on the high. That’s the reason he’s being protected,” Pandey instructed ThePrint.
ThePrint reached out to Champat Rai over the cellphone for remark, however he didn’t reply. If he responds, the report will probably be up to date.
Additionally learn: Champat Rai takes ‘vow of silence’ and writes letter to Ram followers, calling allegations ‘unfounded’
Contents of the preliminary report
In response to the SIT’s preliminary findings accessed by ThePrint, belief member Anil Mishra had did not oversee the donation aggregation course of, safety controls and efficient implementation of SOPs. Nevertheless, regardless of repeated questioning of Lai, the preliminary report doesn’t title him amongst these held accountable.
SIT Preliminary report particulars 70 instances suspect The donation theft incident occurred in simply 40 days from April 27, 2026 to June 5, 2026. Police have up to now arrested eight folks and recovered 78.94 million rupees in money, international foreign money and valuables, in addition to 2.25 million rupees hidden in a washroom adjoining to the counting room.
The report highlights severe “deficiencies” within the temple’s donation administration and safety methods. It mentioned money collected from donation bins was poorly monitored, settlement procedures have been weak and safety protocols have been routinely violated.
Staff weren’t correctly frisked, restrictions on bringing private objects into the counting room weren’t enforced, and biometric monitoring remained ineffective.
CCTV footage from the counting room confirmed a number of workers “hiding” money of their garments, pockets and footwear, the SIT mentioned.
The investigation concluded that the thefts weren’t remoted incidents, however have been a part of an ongoing, coordinated operation involving a number of workers.
The preliminary investigation report names Avinash Shukla, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karnesh Pandey, Anukalp Mishra, Ravkush Mishra and Ramashankar as concerned within the alleged violation. Apart from them, police additionally arrested two different suspects. Throughout the investigation, authorities additionally searched the financial institution accounts of the staff and their households, the place they discovered suspicious monetary transactions.
“Everybody is aware of that Champat Rai is the selection of the centrists. He has entry to the get together excessive command. Regardless of how a lot the opposition events shout in opposition to him, it is not going to be simple to undermine his standing,” mentioned a UP BJP chief on situation of anonymity.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
Additionally learn: VHP warns authorities of Ram temple administration as Champat Rai formalizes resignation amid theft scandal
