Champat Rai hints at stepping aside as SIT probe, opposition heat grow

Summary

The controversy surrounding the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple intensified on Thursday, with former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust chief Champat Rai reportedly indicating that he may step away from his role amid mounting scrutiny, while the Special Investigation Team (SIT) carried out an extensive round of questioning in Ayodhya. Ahead of a crucial trust meeting scheduled for July 6, sources said Rai has conveyed to close associates that his “service in Ayodhya is complete” and that he does not wish to continue under the “stigma” created by the donation embezzlement controversy. Sources also claimed that Rai, who is currently keeping a low profile, has said that the trust had been “betrayed”, though he did not elaborate on whom he was referring to. The SIT, which is probing allegations of misappropriation of donations collected at the Ram Temple, returned to Ayodhya on Thursday and questioned Rai, trust member Dr Anil Mishra and temple official Gopal Rao for a second time. Unlike the earlier round, when all three were examined separately, investigators reportedly questioned them together to reconstruct the sequence of events, understand how the alleged irregularities continued over a prolonged period and assess their respective roles. The development came as the SIT conducted an intensive eight-hour investigation at the Ram Temple complex. inside the Ram Temple complex. The allegations triggered a fresh political storm, with opposition parties demanding accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and calling for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation. The Congress announced plans to launch a campaign against the alleged “looting” of temple donations. Venugopal wrote to Modi seeking an immediate Supreme Court-monitored investigation into what he described as the “Chanda Chori mega scandal”, alleging that those who spoke of “Ram Rajya” had embezzled offerings made by devotees. Authorities said the land was purchased in the name of his wife, Supriya Mishra, and construction was undertaken without the mandatory approval of the development authority.