The Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj, on Tuesday, 7 July defended the integrity of Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, firmly rejecting allegations of financial misconduct while acknowledging the need for systemic reforms in the Trust's functioning. His remarks came amid a widening controversy over a donation theft case and the resignations of senior Trust members.

Treasurer's Defence of Champat Rai

Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj drew a clear distinction between concerns over Champat Rai's working style and questions about his character. 'I have had a long association with Champat Rai. I know him thoroughly, and even today, I have no doubts about him. Our action was against his working style. We had repeatedly cautioned him, but those shortcomings were part of his nature and working methodology, not a character flaw. If anyone accuses him of financial involvement, I believe that is wrong even today,' he said.

The Treasurer clarified that while the Trust had accepted the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, the resolution of the ongoing controversy required procedural overhaul, not merely personnel changes.

SIT Inquiry and Political Dimension

Responding to questions about Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav raising the Ram Mandir donation theft issue, and reports suggesting that accused Tinnu Yadav had allegedly been in contact with individuals close to the SP leader, the Treasurer declined to comment until the Special Investigation Team (SIT) concludes its inquiry. 'I will speak about all these matters after the final report of the SIT is released,' he said. This comes amid heightened political scrutiny of the Trust's internal governance ahead of upcoming state elections.

Temple Manager Relieved, Confusion 'Clearing'

Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj confirmed that temple manager Gopal Rao had been relieved of his responsibilities. 'Yesterday, he was informed that he would no longer be associated with this work,' he said. The Treasurer also sought to reassure devotees, stating that unnecessary confusion had been created over the past several days but that the situation was now improving. Notably, he claimed that donation offerings at the temple had actually increased following the theft case, citing incoming reports as evidence of sustained devotee faith.

Financial Position of the Trust

On the Trust's finances, Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj disclosed that total donations received since the inception of the construction project stood at approximately ₹3,200 crore, with a current balance of ₹1,800 crore after completing all temple-related works. The figures underscore the scale of public investment in the Ayodhya project and the importance of robust financial oversight going forward.

Path Forward: Procedural Reform Over Resignations

The Treasurer was emphatic that resignations alone would not restore public confidence. 'The issue will not be resolved merely through resignations but by changing the procedures. We will make every effort to bring about those changes, and I am confident that everything will improve. A transparent and error-free working system will be established and properly implemented, ensuring that people's faith in the temple of Lord Shri Ram remains intact,' he said. He added that periodic reviews of all decisions were essential for any organisation's smooth functioning. The Trust's next steps, including the SIT's final report, are expected to determine the pace and depth of these reforms.