Ram Temple offerings sold in Ayodhya shops under Champat Rai's watch, alleges former karsevak
Synopsis
A former karsevak has alleged that missing gold and silver offerings from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya were sold through local precious-metal shops under the watch of the Trust's former General Secretary Champat Rai — and that the police station tasked with investigating the case is itself compromised. The claim, if substantiated, would mark a serious breach of custodial accountability at one of India's most high-profile religious sites.
Key Takeaways
Santosh Dubey , chief of Dharm Sena Bharat and former karsevak, made the allegations on 2 July in Ayodhya .
He alleged that gold, silver ornaments and precious gems offered at the Ram Temple were sold in local precious-metal shops under Champat Rai's supervision over roughly eight years .
Dubey named suspect Tinnu Yadav as the alleged link between missing temple valuables and Ayodhya traders.
He demanded the immediate removal of the Ram Janmbhoomi Police Station SHO and all current station staff, alleging they were installed by Champat Rai.
Dubey urged UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to order a probe into the assets of precious-metal traders across Ayodhya.
The Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and Champat Rai had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
Former karsevak and Dharm Sena Bharat chief Santosh Dubey on Thursday, 2 July alleged that gold and silver ornaments and precious gems offered at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya — and now reportedly missing — were sold through local precious-metal shops operating under the supervision of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's former General Secretary Champat Rai. Dubey simultaneously called on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to immediately replace the current staff of the Ram Janmbhoomi Police Station, warning that the ongoing investigation would otherwise be compromised.
The Core Allegation
Dubey claimed that for roughly eight years — coinciding with Champat Rai's tenure — precious offerings from inside the temple, including ornaments made of gold and silver and precious gems, were allegedly routed to shops dealing in precious metals across Ayodhya. 'In Ayodhya, there are many shops that sell precious metals. Since the last eight years, after his arrival, Champat Rai used to look over these shops,' he said. 'Offerings that were made inside the temple, like those of metal items, ornaments made of gold and silver and precious gems, were sent to these shops. I have received information from inside sources,' he alleged.
Demand for Police Action and Station Overhaul
Dubey argued that the current officers posted at the Ram Janmbhoomi Police Station were brought in by Champat Rai and would not conduct a fair probe. 'The SHO of the Ram Janmbhoomi Police Station should be immediately removed because he won't take any action; rather, he will manage (all the allegations),' he said. He warned that retaining the existing police staff would not only hamper the investigation but also damage the state government's credibility. 'The government is being defamed due to these police officers,' he added.
Key Accused and Local Trader Network
Dubey pointed to a suspect identified only as Tinnu Yadav as the alleged link between the missing temple valuables and Ayodhya's precious-metal traders. 'Tinnu was in touch with them. The thieves are still in Ayodhya; it is not anyone from outside,' he claimed. He urged authorities to investigate the assets and properties of all traders dealing in precious metals and gems in the temple town, and stressed that suspects should be apprehended before they could flee. 'If these traders are caught, then the gold and silver ornaments that are missing will be recovered, and everything will be revealed,' he said.
Context and Significance
The allegations come amid broader scrutiny of financial management at the Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees one of India's most prominent religious sites. Champat Rai's role as former General Secretary places him at the centre of these claims. The Trust and Champat Rai had not issued a public response to the allegations at the time of reporting. It is important to note that Dubey's claims are based on information he says he received from inside sources, and no formal charge sheet or court finding has been made public in connection with these specific allegations.
What Happens Next
Dubey has appealed directly to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for swift administrative intervention, including a reshuffle at the Ram Janmbhoomi Police Station and a probe into the financial dealings of Ayodhya's precious-metal traders. Whether the state government or the Trust responds formally will determine the trajectory of the controversy in the days ahead.
Point of View
A suspect, and even the police station allegedly protecting the accused — but they rest entirely on undisclosed inside sources, which limits their immediate evidentiary weight. What makes this politically significant is the target: Champat Rai was the public face of the Ram Janmbhoomi Trust during its most consequential years. If the Yogi government responds with a police reshuffle, it will signal that the allegations have found traction in Lucknow; if it does not, the silence will itself become a story. Either way, the episode underscores a structural gap in independent financial oversight at major religious trusts in India — a gap that has surfaced repeatedly across shrines from Tirupati to Shirdi.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Santosh Dubey alleged about the Ram Temple offerings?
Santosh Dubey has alleged that gold and silver ornaments and precious gems offered at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, now reportedly missing, were sold through local precious-metal shops that were allegedly supervised by Champat Rai, the former General Secretary of the Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. He says the information came from inside sources.
Who is Champat Rai and what is his alleged role?
Champat Rai is the former General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the body that oversees the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Dubey alleges that Rai supervised precious-metal shops in Ayodhya over roughly eight years and was aware that missing temple offerings were being traded there. Champat Rai had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
Why is Dubey demanding a change in the Ram Janmbhoomi Police Station staff?
Dubey alleges that the current officers at the Ram Janmbhoomi Police Station were posted there by Champat Rai and will therefore not conduct an impartial investigation. He has specifically called for the immediate removal of the Station House Officer, warning that the probe will be managed rather than pursued fairly.
Who is Tinnu Yadav and what is his alleged connection to the case?
Tinnu Yadav, referred to by Dubey as a key accused, is alleged to have been in contact with Ayodhya precious-metal shopkeepers and to have facilitated the sale of missing temple valuables. Dubey claims the accused are still in Ayodhya and urged authorities to act before they can flee.
What action has Dubey demanded from the UP government?
Dubey has urged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to immediately remove the staff of the Ram Janmbhoomi Police Station, order a probe into the wealth and assets of precious-metal traders across Ayodhya, and take swift action to recover the missing gold and silver ornaments.
