Champat Rai visits Ayodhya temple in first public appearance since donation row
Since the controversy erupted, Rai remained largely confined to Teerth Kshetra Bhawan, a three-storey building located 200 metres from the temple complex.
Former Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai made his first public appearance in Ayodhya on Tuesday, visiting the Tapasvi Chhawani temple, following allegations of embezzlement of temple donations that surfaced nearly two months ago. Rai had been mostly confined to the Teerth Kshetra Bhawan since the controversy erupted.
The two met in a closed-door session, though no details of their conversation were disclosed. Paramhans Acharya, the chief priest of the Tapasvi Chhawani temple, praised Rai's contributions to the construction of the Ram temple, stating that the seers had requested him to settle permanently in Ayodhya. The embezzlement allegations came to light in early June, leading to a political uproar with the opposition Congress and Samajwadi Party raising the issue in Parliament and the UP assembly.
In response to the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the matter. Following the SIT's interim report, an FIR was filed on June 25, and eight individuals were subsequently arrested. The Supreme Court also took notice of the case. Rai and trust member Anil Mishra resigned from their positions, while another senior official, Gopal Rao, was removed from all temple-related duties.
In a handwritten letter to the 'Ram bhakts' posted on X on July 7, Rai stated that baseless allegations had been made against him. He has not made any further public statements on the issue.
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