The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust announced a sweeping leadership change after a former accounts supervisor accused the organisation of stealing millions of rupees from donation piles.
General Secretary Champat Rai resigned amid the scandal and a retired forest officer, Krishna Mohan, was named as interim chief. The trust has also created a new CEO position, setting up a panel for future appointments.
According to the trust, it has collected Rs 5.82 billion in offerings so far, spending Rs 3.19 billion on upkeep. Allegations suggest a smaller but significant sum – more than Rs 70 million – has gone missing, though the exact figure remains in dispute.
A three‑member Special Investigation Team was formed by the state government, and police have registered a case of alleged embezzlement, arresting eight suspects. The high‑court and supreme‑court were petitioned for a court‑monitored probe of the allegations.
The temple, built to replace the mosque that was demolished in 1992, draws roughly 50 million visitors annually and is central to Hindu worship and national politics. Its management’s response underscores a desire to restore its credibility in the eyes of devotees and the public.
