Ram Temple Trust to Meet on July 6 Amid Theft Probe, CEO Appointment on Agenda

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will convene at Mani Ramdas Chavni in Ayodhya on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 3 p.m. to discuss the preliminary report of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing allegations of theft of donations meant for the Ram Temple. The meeting will also address the resignations of two trustees and consider appointing a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to manage temple affairs, according to the agenda seen by PTI.

The five-point agenda, issued by treasurer Govind Dev Giri, includes a discussion on the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, both of whom, along with special invitee Gopal Rao, have been under scrutiny since the alleged theft came to light. Two parallel investigations are underway: one by the SIT, whose tenure has been extended until the end of July, and another by the police. Both agencies have recorded statements from the three senior officials, but no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against them yet.

Lawyers from the Faizabad Bar Association have submitted a written complaint seeking an FIR against Rai, Mishra, and Rao. Other agenda items include the approval of an unaudited income-expenses statement and balance sheet for the financial year 2025-26, along with other financial details.

Trust chief Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, who had been attending previous meetings virtually due to age-related issues, is currently recuperating at a Lucknow hospital. A medical bulletin on Friday indicated he is expected to be discharged in two to three days. Mani Ramdas Chavni, the venue, is his ashram.

Eight individuals named in an FIR filed after the SIT's preliminary report have been arrested. All were remanded to 14-day judicial custody until July 23, but police later obtained custody of Avinash Shukla, a key accused, to recover what they describe as important evidence linked to the theft from his residence in Ayodhya.