Ram Temple donation theft: SIT gives clean chit to Champat Rai, Anil Mishra
Synopsis
The SIT probing the Ram Temple donation theft in Ayodhya has cleared former Trust general secretary Champat Rai and former member Anil Mishra — both of whom had resigned in June amid the controversy. With 8 accused already arrested and the final report now with the Trust, the case enters a new phase that could reshape how India's most high-profile temple manages its donations.
Key Takeaways
The SIT has given a clean chit to former Trust general secretary Champat Rai and former member Anil Mishra in the Ram Temple donation theft case.
The Uttar Pradesh Home Department submitted the SIT's final report to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on 18 August .
Both Rai and Mishra had resigned on 27 June after allegations of donation irregularities emerged.
An FIR registered on 25 June names 8 accused , all of whom have been arrested and charged under the BNS and the Prevention of Corruption Act .
The three-member SIT was constituted on 13 June and was headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant .
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has cleared former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and former Trust member Anil Mishra of any wrongdoing. The Uttar Pradesh Home Department submitted the SIT's final report to the Trust on Monday, 18 August, for further action.
Why Rai and Mishra Stepped Down
Both Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resigned from their respective positions on 27 June after allegations of irregularities in the handling of temple donations surfaced. They were subsequently questioned by the SIT as part of its probe into donation management and collection at the temple.
According to sources, Rai denied any involvement in the alleged irregularities during questioning. He reportedly told investigators that he had himself lodged a complaint in connection with the suspected theft, which led to the arrest of the accused persons. Rai also maintained that ensuring transparency in donation collection was part of his responsibility, and that he acted after becoming aware of the alleged wrongdoing.
How the SIT Was Constituted
The three-member SIT was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on 13 June following a formal request from the temple trust — before the Supreme Court subsequently intervened in the matter. Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant headed the panel. Inspector General of Police (Range) Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan Kumar were the other two members.
The SIT submitted its preliminary findings to the state government on 23 June. Those findings included several recommendations and set off a chain of further action in the case.
FIR, Arrests, and Charges
Based on the preliminary SIT report, Trust member Krishnamohan filed a written complaint at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi police station. An FIR was registered on 25 June, naming eight individuals and other unidentified persons as accused.
Those named are Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ram Shankar Yadav (alias Tinnu). All eight have since been arrested and booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
What Happens Next
With the final SIT report now in the Trust's hands, the onus of further action shifts to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The clean chit to Rai and Mishra formally separates the two senior figures from the criminal proceedings against the eight arrested accused. How the Trust acts on the report's recommendations — and whether any institutional reforms in donation management follow — will be closely watched.
Point of View
The institutional question of how donation irregularities went undetected at India's most scrutinised temple remains unanswered. The SIT's recommendations to the Trust deserve public disclosure — vague 'further action' language is insufficient given the scale of public faith and funding involved. That Rai himself claims to have triggered the complaint adds a layer of complexity that the final report alone may not resolve. The Trust's response to the report will be the real test of accountability.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ram Temple donation theft case?
The Ram Temple donation theft case involves alleged irregularities in the collection and management of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. An FIR was registered on 25 June naming eight individuals, all of whom have been arrested and charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Why did Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resign?
Champat Rai and Anil Mishra stepped down from their positions in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on 27 June after allegations of irregularities in temple donation handling emerged. Both were subsequently questioned by the SIT as part of its investigation.
What did the SIT conclude about Champat Rai and Anil Mishra?
The SIT gave both Champat Rai and Anil Mishra a clean chit, finding no evidence of their involvement in the alleged donation theft. According to sources, Rai told investigators he had himself filed the complaint that led to the arrests of the accused.
Who are the eight accused arrested in the case?
The eight named accused are Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ram Shankar Yadav (alias Tinnu). All have been arrested and booked under the BNS and Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
What happens next in the Ram Temple donation case?
The final SIT report has been submitted to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for further action. The Trust is now expected to act on the report's recommendations, which could include institutional reforms in how temple donations are managed and monitored.
