Ayodhya: Former general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai, has reportedly become active again in the affairs of the Ram Temple following the appointment of a new full-time general secretary and the temple trust’s first Chief Executive Officer.
Rai recently visited the Pilgrim Service Centre for the first time since the controversy surrounding the alleged theft of offerings at the Ram Temple. He reportedly spent nearly an hour interacting with employees, enquiring about their well-being and telling them to inform him if they faced any difficulties.
Former trustee Dr Anil Mishra was also present during the visit.
Rai’s renewed engagement comes at a time when the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has appointed Swami Govind Dev Giri as its full-time general secretary and has also appointed its first CEO. Rai had faced questions following the alleged donation theft controversy and subsequently stepped down from the post of general secretary.
Donation Theft Issue Had Triggered Controversy
The issue of alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple was raised publicly in June by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. Rai was among the first to respond to the allegations, releasing a video in which he rejected the claims.
However, the controversy continued to intensify, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigation reportedly confirmed the theft. The investigation also reportedly indicated that Rai had been informed about the incident before Yadav raised the issue publicly.
A video showing the recovery of a substantial amount of money subsequently surfaced on social media. Nripendra Misra, chairman of the Ram Temple Construction Committee, had described the incident as a serious criminal act. Amid growing pressure over the matter, Rai resigned as general secretary.
Three Employees Also Restored to Earlier Responsibilities
The latest developments also coincide with the reinstatement of three employees who had earlier been removed from responsibilities at the Ram Temple following complaints and allegations.
After Swami Govind Dev Giri assumed charge as the full-time general secretary, Sandeep Gupta, K.D. Tiwari and Bajrang Pathak were reportedly restored to their earlier responsibilities.
Sandeep Gupta Had Been Removed After Complaint
Sandeep Gupta, who was responsible for managing the locker facility at the Pilgrim Service Centre, had earlier been removed following a complaint by a foreign woman.
The complaint reportedly followed an argument over the storage of belongings in a locker. Interim general secretary Krishna Mohan subsequently issued Gupta a show-cause notice seeking his explanation. After his response was reportedly found unsatisfactory, he was removed from the assignment.
The report states that Gupta, the son of late kar sevak Vasudev Gupta, had been provided employment at the Ram Temple considering the financial circumstances of his family.
Following the appointment of Swami Govind Dev Giri as full-time general secretary, a recommendation was reportedly made for Gupta’s reinstatement. He was subsequently restored and assigned to his earlier position.
K.D. Tiwari and Bajrang Pathak Also Return
K.D. Tiwari and Bajrang Pathak had earlier been removed from their responsibilities following a dispute concerning the distribution of prasad.
According to the report, a woman area officer posted at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex had recommended that prasad be arranged for her guests. Bajrang Pathak, who was responsible for prasad arrangements, reportedly declined the request, stating that an order from the trust would be required.
The officer subsequently complained to the trust.
Following the complaint, interim general secretary Krishna Mohan transferred K.D. Tiwari, who was responsible for overseeing Ram Lalla’s jewellery and items offered by devotees, along with Bajrang Pathak, to Tirth Kshetra Puram in Bagh Bijaisi.
Tiwari reportedly joined the new assignment, while Pathak did not comply with the transfer order and continued serving at Kar Sevak Puram. He was subsequently removed from the arrangement.
Under the new administration, Swami Govind Dev Giri has reportedly restored both Tiwari and Pathak to the Ram Temple with their earlier responsibilities.
The developments indicate a period of administrative transition within the temple trust, with several earlier personnel decisions being reviewed following the appointment of the new full-time general secretary and CEO.
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