In a fiery escalation of the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation controversy, angry lawyers staged a major ruckus and walked out of the court premises, slamming the handling of the case. Police have now formally demanded that criminal proceedings be initiated against top Ram Mandir Trust figures, Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao, over alleged irregularities in managing devotee donations.
Lawyers’ dramatic exit signals deep frustration with perceived delays, soft-pedaling, or protection of influential names in the probe. The demand to file cases directly targets key trust office-bearers amid mounting evidence of missing cash bundles (worth crores), hidden valuables, CCTV blind spots, and questionable financial dealings at the sacred site.
This comes as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) widens its net beyond lower-level staff who were earlier arrested. Public and political outrage is peaking, with calls growing louder for a Supreme Court-monitored probe to ensure no “big fish” escapes accountability.Why It Matters
- The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust faces a critical meeting on July 6, where resignations and major reforms are expected to be discussed.
- The scandal has shaken devotees’ trust and turned into a political flashpoint, with opposition parties accusing the system of shielding those in power.
- Champat Rai (trust general secretary) and others have been under scrutiny, with VHP leaders even admitting possible negligence in some aspects.
The lawyers’ angry walkout has injected fresh urgency into the case, turning up the heat on authorities to deliver swift, transparent justice.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has adopted a firm but distancing stance amid the escalating Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft controversy. VHP International President Alok Kumar has made several key statements in recent interviews: Kumar admitted that Champat Rai (VHP vice-president and former trust general secretary) “may be guilty of negligence.” However, he emphasized waiting for the full probe outcome before any internal action, noting that direct allegations so far target Rai’s driver (from whom cash was reportedly recovered). No one has formally accused Rai yet of personal theft.
VHP has called for: Immediate FIR; prompt investigation by senior officers; fast-track court trial, and punishment for the guilty within 4–5 months
Kumar stressed that “no one is above the law” and there should be no shielding of anyone, including Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, or Gopal Rao. Police must investigate all allegations thoroughly. However, he said, “It;s not our job to run temples, reiterating that managing temples is the trust’s responsibility, not VHP’s. Attempts to drag the RSS or government into accountability are “inappropriate.”
While the VHP leadership has expressed that the alleged theft is “unfortunate” and hurtful to Hindus worldwide, it is showing some support for Rai’s long dedication to the cause, and are prioritizing a credible, impartial probe and have reportedly nudged him toward resignation to avoid any perception of bias. This response aims to protect the organization’s image while allowing the investigation to proceed without interference.
The July 6 trust meeting will likely see further developments, including possible structural reforms like appointing a professional CEO for better oversight.
This is a fast-developing story, stay tuned to Janpath News Network!
