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Ayodhya: Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai has blamed the State Bank of India’s (SBI) Ayodhya branch for alleged security failures that he says paved the way for the theft of donations collected at the Ram Temple.
Rai, who resigned from the trust on moral grounds after the controversy surfaced, appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft. During the meeting held on July 6, he submitted a written statement accusing the bank of violating the terms of its agreement with the trust while handling the counting of temple donations.
Rai Alleges SBI Failed to Follow Agreed Security Measures
According to Rai, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the trust and the bank laid down several mandatory security arrangements for the donation counting process.
He stated that CCTV cameras had been installed inside the counting room and an iron-bar security door had been fitted as part of the agreed safeguards.
However, Rai alleged that the bank advised staff to count the donations while seated on chairs with the cash placed on tables, a practice he claimed created opportunities for theft.
“As per the MoU, all security measures were taken. CCTV cameras were installed in the counting room and an iron-bar door was provided. The bank advised that counting should be done by sitting on chairs and keeping the money on a table, which helped in the theft,” Rai said in his written submission to the SIT.
‘Guidelines Issued in February 2025 Were Ignored’
Rai further claimed that joint guidelines governing the counting of temple donations had been issued in February 2025 but were allegedly not implemented by the bank.
He alleged that personnel involved in counting the donations were allowed to wear clothes with pockets and were not subjected to frisking while entering or leaving the counting room.
According to Rai, these basic security lapses made it easier to conceal and remove cash from the premises.
Questions Raised Over Security Procedures
The former trust official questioned whether the State Bank of India had failed to enforce its own standard security protocols.
“All the banks in the country must have some rules for the chest room. The rules of the State Bank of India must be strict. There should have been special searches while entering and exiting the counting room, and workers should have worn clothes without pockets. In the temple’s case, despite these guidelines, the clothes provided by the bank had pockets,” he alleged.
Rai also sought an explanation from senior SBI officials regarding the alleged failure to enforce security procedures.
“Senior officials of the bank need to explain how such laxity was allowed in following the rules of the chest room,” he said.
He further suggested that senior management may not have been aware of the guidelines.
“Perhaps the higher officials of the bank didn’t have any knowledge of this guideline letter; otherwise, the mistake would have been caught at some level,” he added.
Rai Questions Preparation of Security Guidelines
Rai also questioned the manner in which the security guidelines were drafted.
He claimed the document had been prepared in haste and pointed out that he was not among the signatories despite serving as the trust’s general secretary at the time.
“The guideline letter was written in a hurry, and the bank did not follow it. The workers selected by the bank for counting were kept as housekeeping staff. Is this appropriate?” he said.
According to Rai, the guidelines were signed by trustee Dr. Anil Mishra and Govind Mishra, the Chief Manager of SBI’s Ayodhya branch.
Questioning why his approval was not obtained, Rai said:
“Why was my signature not taken on this guideline letter? If I were not in Ayodhya, then they should have waited.”
Eight Arrested in Donation Theft Case
The SIT investigation has so far led to the arrest of eight people allegedly involved in the theft of Ram Temple donation money.
Investigators have claimed that several of the accused were living lifestyles that appeared disproportionate to their known sources of income.
According to the preliminary findings of the SIT, investigators identified around 70 instances in which personnel involved in counting donations allegedly concealed bundles of currency notes and loose cash.
The probe has also concluded, at the preliminary stage, that the alleged theft became possible because prescribed security protocols were not effectively implemented during the counting process.
Rai Resigned, Maintains Innocence
Following the controversy, Champat Rai stepped down from his position in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, stating that he was resigning on moral grounds.
Amid demands for action against him, Rai released an open letter to Lord Ram’s devotees, denying all allegations and asserting that he had no role in the alleged theft.
He has also announced a vow of silence, saying he will not speak publicly on the matter until the Special Investigation Team submits its final report.