‘Never speaks ill about anyone’: Ram Mandir Trust member Mahant Dinendra Das defends former general secretary Champat Rai amid embezzlement row

AYODHYA: Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust member Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj on Thursday came out in support of former Trust general secretary Champat Rai amid the alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement controversy, asserting that Rai has “never said bad about anyone” and had always worked with complete transparency in the service of Lord Ram.

Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj said he had known Champat Rai for over 15 years and had never witnessed any wrongdoing on his part.

“I have been in contact with him for 15 years. Champat Rai is serving Ramlalla with heart, mind and wealth. He never speaks ill of anyone in his life. Even if one rupee comes, he also gives it to Ramlalla. If anything happens, he tells it to everyone. He tells everything in the trust meeting, and he also accepts whatever is decided there. If I had seen any fault, I would have spoken of it myself as a fault. I don’t see anything wrong with Champat Rai. If I had seen a mistake, I would have spoken”, Das said.

#WATCH | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh | Meeting of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on July 6, amid allegations of embezzlement of donations

Mahant Dinendra Das Ji Maharaj, Trustee, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, says, “I have known Champat Rai ji for the last… pic.twitter.com/sXlGbbIWgz

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) July 2, 2026

His remarks come ahead of two crucial meetings of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, scheduled for July 6 and July 11, amid the ongoing controversy over the alleged misappropriation of Ram Mandir donations. “The July 6 meeting will be held at Chhoti Chhavni under the chairmanship of Trust Treasurer Govind Dev Giri,” he said.

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Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj blamed temple adminstration assistant Gopal Rao for the controversy surrounding the alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case, accusing him of politicising the issue and asserting that the “entire fault” lay with him. Rao’s role in overseeing temple operations and donation management has been under scrutiny.

Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj alleged that Gopal Rao had created unnecessary complications and departed from the traditions followed by the Trust. “Gopal Rao often complicates matters for everyone. Our trustees in Uttar Pradesh follow the tradition of Ram, whereas Gopal Rao does not even subscribe to that tradition… The entire fault lies with Gopal; he is playing politics,” Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj said.

#WATCH | Ayodhya | On the alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case, Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj, a trustee of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, says, “Gopal Rao often complicates matters for everyone. Our trustees in Uttar Pradesh follow the tradition of Ram, whereas… pic.twitter.com/0ByHeEBVUY

— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2026

His remarks come amid an ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations received by the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, a case that has triggered sharp political exchanges between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition.

Meanwhile, Prakash Gupta, Office In-charge of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, stressed that the investigation should ensure punishment for the guilty while protecting innocent individuals from being unnecessarily implicated.

“My point is simple: the guilty must not go free, and no innocent person should be implicated. Some people are getting dragged into this who had absolutely no connection, yet the SIT is picking everyone up. Naturally, people will react. I know some individuals used to work there selflessly, but you know how it is, if you get caught in the middle of it, you end up being labelled a thief too,” Gupta said.

He further said judicial proceedings would continue as per legal procedure following arrests in the case. “Once an arrest is made, they have to be sent to jail. And when the court sets a date, a hearing must take place, whether it’s a direct appearance or via video conferencing, the proceedings have to happen. Nowadays, video conferencing is common; they don’t physically transport people if there are security concerns. The court handles it via conferencing,” he added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary dismissed allegations made by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over the alleged donation embezzlement, saying the opposition was indulging in politics over the Ram Mandir issue. He maintained that the SIT probe would proceed impartially and that no one found guilty would be spared.

The controversy intensified after Akhilesh Yadav alleged irregularities in donations made to the Ram Mandir, prompting the BJP to defend the ongoing investigation. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra said an FIR had already been registered and eight people had been arrested in connection with the case, asserting that those responsible would face strict legal action. The SIT investigation into the alleged financial irregularities is currently under way.

Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement case has been granted a 15-day extension to complete its investigation. The extension will allow investigators to widen the scope of the probe and examine all aspects of the case, with officials stating that no guilty person would be spared.

On June 29, an Ayodhya court remanded all the accused in the alleged donation embezzlement case to 14-day judicial custody following an intensive investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving temple donations.

Earlier, former Trust general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned, taking moral responsibility for the controversy. Police have since recorded Champat Rai’s statement, while statements of other senior Trust office-bearers, including Anil Mishra, may be recorded if required during the course of the investigation.

The controversy began after an FIR was registered on June 25 over the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. The Trust has maintained that it is committed to a fair investigation and to preserving the faith of devotees. (ANI)