Ram Temple Trust clarifies Champat Rai, Anil Mishra ceased to be members

Govind Dev Giri Maharaj is the Treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. | Photo credit: ANI

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Tuesday (July 7, 2026) said former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra are no longer members of the Trust, putting to rest any speculation about their status.

“Rai and Mishra have ceased to be part of the Trust after their resignations were accepted in a meeting on Monday (July 6, 2026),” Trust Treasurer Govind Dev Giri told PTI.

The trust is likely to decide at its next meeting on July 22 whether to make a permanent replacement for Champat Rai Krishna Mohan, a retired Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer.

“As of now, Krishna Mohan has been appointed as the interim general secretary of the Trust, but the Trust may later decide to make the appointment permanent,” Mr Giri told PTI.

He stressed that Trust members are likely to consider the appointment of Krishna Mohan and suitable replacements for the vacant positions during the July 22 meeting.

He also clarified that Rai and Mishra had ceased to be part of the Trust after their resignations were accepted at its meeting on Monday, rejecting claims that they had merely resigned from their posts but continued as trustees.

Mr Giri also confirmed that the Trust had decided to remove Gopal Nagarakatte, also known as Gopal Rao, from the list of specially invited members of the Trust following the resignation of Rai and Mishra.

Mr Giri, while responding to questions on the resignation of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, explained on Monday (July 6) that the Trust had no discretion in the matter as Senior Trustee K Parasaran pointed out that according to the Trust’s bye-laws, resignations take effect immediately upon submission, leaving the Trust with no option but to accept them.

The Trust’s decision drew mixed reactions from diviners in Ayodhya.

Mahant Shashikant Das expressed displeasure over Champat Rai’s removal, describing it as “sad” as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) did not find him guilty. On the contrary, Jagadguru Ram Dineshacharya stated that Rai’s resignation was appropriate to ensure a fair and impartial investigation into the allegations.

Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya told PTI Videos that the seer community was behind the Trust’s decision and would welcome whatever decision it takes. He also criticized the allegations made without evidence and accused the opposition of spreading misleading information regarding the Ram temple issue.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday (July 6, 2026) accepted the resignation of Rai and Mishra amid controversy over the theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

At the same meeting, the Trust decided to strengthen its administrative and financial systems, including appointing an Executive Director and streamlining the management of donations and records.

Published – 7 Jul 2026 18:20 IST