Trust member Govind Dev Ji said the alleged donation theft was detected before it became public
July 7, 2026: The Ram Temple donation theft case has intensified scrutiny over the Trust’s handling of the alleged embezzlement, with fresh questions being raised over accountability and the timeline of the investigation. In an interview with ABP News, Trust treasurer Govind Dev Ji said the Trust became aware of the alleged irregularities before a public post by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. He claimed that Champat Rai learned about the issue in early June and initially attempted to resolve it internally.
Govind Dev Ji said the Trust later decided to seek a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe after realising the seriousness of the allegations. He admitted that there was a delay in filing a police complaint, attributing it to confusion over the appropriate legal course of action rather than any attempt to shield those involved. He described the delay as a lapse in judgment.
Defending Champat Rai against allegations of direct involvement, Govind Dev Ji said the former General Secretary’s trust in certain individuals and management style may have contributed to administrative negligence. He also alleged that the suspected mastermind was a close personal aide and driver. The Trust expressed regret over the controversy and said corrective measures would be taken after the SIT submits its final report, while the investigation into the accused and possible systemic failures continues.