Champat Rai says will speak after final SIT report on Ram temple funds theft row
NEW DELHI: Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust general secretary Champat Rai on Tuesday said he would respond to all allegations against him only after the special investigation team (SIT) submits its final report on the alleged Ram temple donation theft allegations.In a letter addressed to Ram devotees, Rai said several discussions had been taking place since June 7 over the alleged theft during the counting of donations from the temple’s donation boxes, and that “many people have made baseless allegations” against him personally. He said he had chosen to remain silent while the investigation was underway.”Since June 7, 2025, several discussions have been taking place regarding the alleged theft during the counting of donations from the donation boxes at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex. Many people have made baseless allegations against me personally.. I have chosen to remain silent,” the letter read.Referring to the trust’s recent meeting, Rai said the SIT’s preliminary report, which had been marked “top secret”, had now been made public. “After the SIT submits its final report, I will respond point by point, in sequence, to every allegation being circulated. The truth will come before everyone,” he said. Rai also defended his public life, saying he had been working in Ayodhya since October 1991 after being deputed there by the organisation and had served as a pracharak for 45 years. “Wherever I have served, my life has remained an open book,” he wrote.His statement comes a day after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust accepted the resignations of Rai and Anil Mishra amid the controversy over the alleged theft of temple donations. The trust has clarified that both ceased to be trustees immediately after their resignations were accepted.
