Ayodhya

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra is considering appointing a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with the Trust's treasurer, Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, saying that there is a requirement to bring in the discipline that professional bureaucrats have to ensure that the trust's affairs are managed properly.

Saying that the absence of the CEO led to such a situation happening in the first place, the treasurer said that the Trust has formed a committee to select and recommend three names, with the trust finally deciding on one person.

"All of this happened due to the absence of a CEO, because the task of oversight requires the discipline that professional bureaucratic people bring. We didn't bring that kind of professional oversight here, and this was the result. So, we will bring one in; we have formed a committee to select and recommend three names, and we will choose one from among them," Govind Dev Giri Maharaj told ANI.

Govind Maharaj also expressed confidence in Champat Rai, who recently resigned as the Trust's General Secretary on moral grounds. The Treasurer said that there are "still no doubts on Champat Rai's integrity", but it cannot be ignored that Rai was "careless" regarding employing some people.

"When I say he is innocent, I mean he could not possibly have had any personal involvement in this entire scandal. I have known him for 32 years, so I cannot even conceive of him being involved in something like this. Now, that speaks to his character; we still have no doubts about his integrity. However, one has to admit that he was careless regarding his work after all, he employed such a criminal as his driver. That man held the keys and controlled everything," the treasurer said.

Govind Maharaj squarely blamed the arrested driver, Ram Yadav (Tinnu Yadav) for the alleged pilferage of the temple's donations. He alleged that the driver could have been pressured by others to carry out embezzlement of funds.

"I believe his driver was the one who executed all of this; I even suspect the driver was connected to outsiders. They likely instigated him to do this and report back to them. I often feel that this was orchestrated by others," he said.

"All this was happening, yet no one noticed. It is a matter of sorrow, anguish, and shame for us; we feel ashamed because of it," the maharaj added.

On Monday, Govind Dev Giri Maharaj also spoke with officials of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the temple case, with Maharaj provided the information which the officials asked for.

"The SIT spoke to me over the phone. They sought some information, which I provided. I am satisfied with the SIT," he said.

A preliminary report submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Uttar Pradesh government found prima facie evidence of theft and pilferage during the counting of donations at the Ram Temple.

The SIT examined CCTV footage, statements of Trust officials, bank personnel, security staff and counting employees, along with financial records and standard operating procedures. According to the report, CCTV footage recorded between April 27 and June 5 allegedly captured around 70 instances of counting staff concealing cash in their clothes, pockets and shoes.

The SIT stated that allegations regarding missing silver bricks and other valuable offerings were not substantiated, with records indicating that such items remained in the Trust's custody. The investigation is ongoing.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has initiated a series of sweeping reforms and accepted high-profile resignations in the wake of the SIT's preliminary report on the donation embezzlement row.

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The resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra were formally accepted on Monday as the Trust seeks to distance itself from the ongoing financial irregularities. Krishna Mohan has been entrusted with the responsibility of interim general secretary of the Ram Mandir Trust.