Authorities at the Ram temple in Ayodhya announced a leadership overhaul after allegations that tens of millions of rupees donated by pilgrims were stolen.
The trust that manages the shrine, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, accepted the resignation of general secretary Champat Rai and appointed a temporary general secretary. The new interim official was named in a press conference following a police‑led investigation.
The Ram temple, inaugurated in January 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has become one of India’s most important pilgrimage centres, drawing about 50 million visitors annually. It replaced a 16th‑century mosque destroyed in 1992, a move that sparked nationwide riots.
The allegations surfaced last month from a former accounts supervisor who was dismissed after raising concerns about alleged theft. His claims led to a police case and petitions in the state high court and the Supreme Court seeking a federal‑police, court‑monitored investigation.
After the trust’s first meeting on Monday, treasurer Govind Dev Giri said that Rai and another official, Anil Mishra, had resigned following a police complaint filed on 25 June. He named retired forest officer Krishna Mohan, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh member, as the interim general secretary. A new CEO post was created, and a panel will recommend appointments.
Giri revealed that the trust had collected 5.82 billion rupees (about $61 million) from devotees up to 31 March 2026 and spent 3.19 billion rupees ($33.5 million) on shrine upkeep. He said the theft “deeply pains” devotees and the institution’s credibility.
The investigation has named eight suspects. The police have arrested them and are questioning them. Giri said the temple trustees did not commit the theft and described the betrayal as a “betrayal by people trusted for many years.”
The trust’s next meeting is scheduled for 22 July, hoping the police will submit its final report by then.
