Ram Temple Trust Accepts Champat Rai’s Resignation, Bajrang Bagra to be the New General Secretary, Say Reports

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is considering a major leadership change, according to multiple media reports. The trust, reportedly, has accepted the resignation of its General Secretary, Champat Rai, who stepped down on moral grounds following a controversy over the alleged embezzlement of temple donations.

Reports indicate that senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) functionary and former corporate executive Bajrang Lal Bagra is the leading candidate to replace Rai as the next General Secretary.

Who is Bajrang Lal Bagra?

Bagra currently serves as the Central (International) General Secretary of the VHP. Over the years, he has held several key roles within the organization, including Joint General Secretary and head of the Ekal Abhiyan initiative.

A Chartered Accountant by profession, Bagra brings extensive financial and organizational management experience from the corporate sector. Before transitioning into full-time social work, he served as the Director of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for prominent public sector undertakings, including the National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) and RITES Ltd.

Overhaul Follows Donation Controversy

The reported administrative shakeup follows a high-profile investigation into financial discrepancies at the Ayodhya temple. The Uttar Pradesh government established a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into administrative lapses regarding the accounting of temple donations.

A SIT investigation revealed that employees tasked with counting offerings had allegedly stolen cash on nearly 70 separate occasions over a 40-day period. Investigators also found that the accused were aware of CCTV blind spots and had occasionally switched off or obstructed the cameras to conceal currency notes. 

While an FIR was filed and eight individuals were arrested, the scandal sparked widespread public outrage and intense pressure from local seers and the public. Although no direct financial misappropriation was proven against senior leadership, General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra stepped down on moral grounds following allegations of administrative negligence and failure to act on early complaints