Ayodhya, September 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and former Trust administrator Gopal Rao have been named as witnesses in the case involving the alleged theft of donations and offerings at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, officials said on Wednesday.
Investigators filed a 7,000-page charge sheet in the case earlier in the day. Following its submission, hundreds of lawyers, including Ayodhya Bar Association president Kalika Prasad Mishra, staged a protest demanding access to and examination of the document.
Officials said Rai, Rao, former Trust trustee Anil Mishra and interim General Secretary Krishna Mohan have all been listed as witnesses in the charge sheet.
Last month, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged donation theft gave a clean chit to Rai and Mishra. Both had stepped down from their respective positions on June 27 after allegations of irregularities in the handling of temple donations surfaced.
The SIT subsequently questioned the two as part of its investigation into the Trust’s management and the collection of donations.
According to sources, Rai denied involvement in the alleged irregularities during questioning. He reportedly told investigators that he had himself lodged a complaint over the suspected theft, following which the accused persons were arrested.
Rai also maintained that ensuring transparency and preventing irregularities in donation collection were among his responsibilities, and that he had taken action after becoming aware of the alleged wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retired) assumed charge on Monday as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The Trust appointed Mishra as its first CEO on September 2 as part of a restructuring exercise aimed at improving administrative coordination and functioning. His appointment came amid the allegations of donation theft, which have brought increased scrutiny to the management of the temple and the handling of its affairs.
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