The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the theft and irregularities in 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. It is after a wide-ranging investigation of the management and handling of donations associated with the temple.
The last report of the SIT was handed over to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday. The report is based on the investigation which came after allegations of theft and irregularity appeared in the temple donation collection.
Rai and Mishra resigned from the Trust after the allegations were made public on June 27. Both later came under the investigators’ microscope for how donations to the temple were collected and managed. The names of Rai and Mishra had drawn attention as they were senior in the Trust.
In a prior conversation, Champat Rai denied having any involvement in the alleged donation theft, said sources in the investigation. He said he had acted after being aware of the alleged wrongdoing and that the complaint had resulted in the arrest of suspects in the case.
Rai also told the investigators that transparency and the prevention of irregularities in donation collection was part of his duty, the investigators said. His position during questioning was that he had taken action once information about the alleged wrongdoing came to his notice. The SIT's final findings have now cleared Rai and Mishra of involvement in the alleged theft.
The three-member SIT was formed by the Uttar Pradesh government on June 13 at the request of the Trust. The panel was headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant. Range Inspector General Kiran S and Special Secretary (Finance) Neel Ratan Kumar were also part of the investigation team.
SIT submitted its initial report to the state government on June 23. The initial report made several stringent recommendations about donation management and related procedures. The findings were later used to conduct the criminal investigation by the authorities.
After the preliminary report, Trust member Krishnamohan filed a written complaint at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi police station. An FIR was registered on June 25 in connection with the allegations. This complaint named eight people including Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ram Shankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu. There were also unidentified persons included, according to the complaint.
All the named accused have been arrested in connection with the case. Investigators booked them under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The initial SIT results also laid the basis for subsequent FIRs and further arrest-related action.
The new development distinguishes the former Trust officials from those who have been charged in the case. Rai and Mishra have been cleared by the SIT, the criminal proceedings against the other accused will go on as per the findings and evidence collected by the investigating authorities.
The case has attracted much attention because of the importance of the Ayodhya Ram Temple and the large-scale public donations involved with the project. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is responsible for the management of the temple and for any activities related to it so it is important to have financial and donation management transparent.
Now the final SIT report has been sent to the Trust, the next step is to take action on the recommendations and what will happen with the criminal process. The report does also raise some questions about donation management and would separate those involved in the alleged wrongdoing from those who were being investigated for administrative reasons.
The development marks a significant turn in the Ayodhya donation theft case, especially for Champat Rai and Anil Mishra whose names have been linked to the controversy following the allegations. The final report’s findings will be an essential part of the legal and administrative process of the case.
