The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has said it will wait for the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to complete its investigation into the alleged Ram Temple donation theft before deciding whether to act against its international vice president, Champat Rai. The statement marks the first time a senior VHP leader has publicly acknowledged that Rai could bear responsibility, even as the organisation insists no criminal allegations have been made against him.
VHP International President Alok Kumar said Rai “may be guilty of negligence” but added that “no one has accused Rai yet“. Kumar also maintained that “the allegations are on his driver” and said any organisational decision would come only after investigators reach their conclusions.
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Investigation widens as police recover nearly ₹80 lakh
The donation theft investigation has already led to the arrest of eight people, with police reporting recoveries of nearly ₹80 lakh during searches linked to the accused. Investigators have also sought custodial interrogation of Avinash Shukla after recovering additional cash, while reports identify Ram Shankar Yadav alias Tinnu, described as Champat Rai’s personal driver, among those arrested.
According to multiple reports, investigators believe the theft may have continued over a period of time rather than being a one-time incident. Police allege money was hidden in CCTV blind spots and temporarily concealed inside washrooms before being taken out of the temple complex. The SIT has also obtained a 15-day extension to examine financial records and expand its inquiry beyond the initial arrests.
Governance questions remain unanswered
While Kumar defended the VHP’s institutional position, he made clear the organisation considers temple administration separate from its own responsibilities. “Nobody, big or small, will be spared“, he said, adding that the VHP would wait for the investigation before considering any action against Rai.
The case has also drawn attention to the internal systems governing one of India’s most visited religious institutions. Authorities have not disclosed the total amount allegedly stolen, how long the diversion of donations may have continued, or how access to the strong room was managed. Police are also examining banking records after contacting multiple financial institutions, while Bank of Baroda has clarified that it handled only digital QR-code donations and played no role in physical cash counting.
The controversy has triggered political reactions, with opposition parties demanding broader accountability within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and calling for greater transparency in the handling of temple donations. Reports also indicate that Champat Rai stepped down as the Trust’s General Secretary, though the focus of the criminal investigation remains on the individuals arrested and the systems that allegedly allowed the theft to continue.
For now, investigators are tracing the movement of recovered funds, reviewing financial records and questioning those connected to the donation management process. Whether the inquiry ultimately finds evidence of criminal involvement beyond the eight accused or concludes that supervisory negligence played a larger role will depend on the findings of the SIT and the evidence placed before the courts.
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