Ayodhya: Police have recorded the statement of Champat Rai, the former general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, in connection with an inquiry into alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram temple, officials said on Thursday.
A police official confirmed to PTI that Rai’s statement had been recorded but refused to specify when, where or for how long the questioning took place. “Yes, his statements have been recorded,” the official said.
Sources said Ayodhya Circle Officer Ashutosh Tiwari, who is leading the investigation, went to Rai’s Bharat Kuti residence in Karsevakpuram to record his account, as reported by The Economic Times. According to the sources, police asked Rai for details and documents related to the alleged theft of donations, and investigators believe Rai became aware of the suspected fraud before it turned into a wider political issue.
When asked about media reports that Rai admitted that not lodging an FIR immediately after learning about the alleged theft was a mistake, another police official told PTI, “Sorry, can’t say anything on that. What transpired is confidential and can’t be shared.”
Sources told PTI the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had become aware of the suspected diversion of donations before the issue became public on June 7. Supporters of Champat Rai, speaking on condition of anonymity, insisted he was “clean” and had acted swiftly after learning of the alleged fraud, but they could not explain why the FIR against the accused was filed only on June 25. A viral video that circulated on June 5 reportedly showed a bag, allegedly containing stolen donation money, being recovered from the residence of the accused, Avinash Shukla.
The controversy broke on June 7 when Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple. Rai dismissed the claims at the time, saying that “nothing noteworthy” had emerged during an internal audit of the donation management system.
The Uttar Pradesh government subsequently constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13. Following the preliminary findings submitted on June 23, police registered an FIR on June 25 and arrested eight people connected with the temple’s donation-counting process. So far, nearly Rs 80 lakh in cash, along with some foreign currency, has been recovered from six of the accused.
Rai and trustee Anil Mishra had earlier resigned, saying they were taking moral responsibility for the controversy. Police have already recorded Rai’s statement and may also question other senior Trust office-bearers, including Mishra, if needed during the investigation
