18 August,2026 10:06 AM IST | Ayodhya | mid-day online correspondent
Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. File Pic
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged theft and irregularities involving donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has given a clean chit to former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and former Trust member Anil Mishra, according to reports.
The Uttar Pradesh Home Department on Monday submitted the SIT's final report in the case to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for further action, according to NDTV.
Rai and Mishra had stepped down from their respective positions on June 27 after allegations of irregularities in the handling of temple donations emerged. Both were subsequently questioned by the SIT as part of its investigation into the collection and management of donations.
According to sources cited in the IANS report, Rai denied any involvement in the alleged irregularities during questioning by investigators.
He reportedly told the SIT that he had himself lodged a complaint over the suspected theft, following which the accused persons were arrested.
Rai also maintained that ensuring transparency in the collection of donations and preventing irregularities were among his responsibilities. He reportedly told investigators that he had taken action after becoming aware of the alleged wrongdoing.
The SIT's final findings have now cleared Rai and Mishra of involvement in the alleged donation theft, according to the report submitted to the state government.
The Uttar Pradesh government constituted the three-member SIT on June 13 following a request from the temple trust.
The panel was formed before the Supreme Court subsequently intervened in the matter.
Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant headed the investigation team. Inspector General of Police, Range, Kiran S, and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan Kumar were the other members of the panel.
The SIT was tasked with examining allegations concerning the handling of donations and determining the circumstances surrounding the suspected irregularities.
The SIT submitted its preliminary findings to the state government on June 23. The report contained several recommendations and subsequently led to further action in the case.
Based on the preliminary findings, Trust member Krishnamohan submitted a written complaint at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi police station.
An FIR was registered on June 25, naming eight people and other unidentified individuals as accused.
The FIR named Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ram Shankar Yadav, alias Tinnu.
All eight named accused have been arrested, according to the information available in the case.
They have been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The arrests followed the preliminary investigation into alleged irregularities in the collection and handling of donations associated with the temple.
The preliminary SIT report had served as the basis for subsequent FIRs and arrests linked to the alleged donation-related irregularities.
Rai and Mishra were among the Trust members questioned as investigators examined the allegations and the systems used to manage donations.
Both had stepped down from their respective positions on June 27, following the emergence of allegations concerning the handling of temple donations.
Rai's reported statement to investigators that he had initiated action after becoming aware of the alleged theft was also considered during the inquiry.
The final SIT report has now been submitted to the Uttar Pradesh Home Department and forwarded to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for further action.
While Rai and Mishra have received a clean chit from the SIT, the criminal proceedings against the eight accused named in the FIR remain separate from the findings concerning the former Trust office-bearers.
The accused have already been arrested and face charges under the relevant provisions of the BNS and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The case centres on allegations of theft and irregularities linked to temple donations. The preliminary investigation resulted in an FIR and arrests, while the final SIT report has now clarified the position of Rai and Mishra, according to the report.
(With inputs from IANS)
