After Yogi's 'Nobody Will Be Spared' Warning, Ram Mandir Trust Gen Secy Champat Rai, Member Anil Mishra ‘Resign’

Ayodhya: Senior Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust functionaries Champat Rai and Anil Mishra have resigned from their positions, according to sources, hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared that "nobody will be spared" in the ongoing probe into the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case.

The reported resignations come amid an intensifying crackdown by the Uttar Pradesh government following the submission of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report, which led to the registration of an FIR and the arrest of eight accused in the case.

According to sources, the resignations were submitted after the Trust came under increasing scrutiny following the alleged theft of donations collected at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. An official confirmation from the Trust on the reported resignations is awaited.

The latest development comes just hours after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued his strongest statement yet on the controversy, making it clear that the state government would show "zero tolerance" towards anyone found guilty of exploiting devotees' faith.

'Nobody Will Be Spared'

Addressing the issue earlier in the day, Yogi Adityanath said action had begun immediately after the SIT submitted its findings.

"The action commenced the moment the SIT report was submitted. I had promised that the truth would be fully revealed, that the facts would be laid bare. No one who trifles with the faith of Sanatan Dharma will be spared,” he said.

Reiterating his government's uncompromising stand, the Chief Minister said anyone found playing with the faith of devotees would face strict punishment, irrespective of their position or influence.

The Chief Minister also launched a sharp political attack on opposition parties, saying those who once opposed Lord Ram were now attempting to politicise the issue.

"Those who would fire bullets at the mere mention of Lord Ram's name are now saying that faith has been tampered with... They would incite riots on Ram Navami, stop Shri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, prevent the Kanwar Yatra and create unrest during Durga Puja. Remember, the Congress didn't just loot the country, they tore it apart,” he said.

Driver Among Those Arrested

The reported resignations come as the investigation continues to widen. Sources said Champat Rai's driver is among the eight people arrested in connection with the alleged theft and misappropriation of donations made by devotees at the Ram Temple.

The eight accused have been formally arrested and are expected to be produced before the Ayodhya District Court.

Those arrested are Tinnu Yadav, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Yadav, Subhash Srivastava, Avinash Shukla, Karunesh Pandey and Ramashankar Mishra.

According to the FIR, the accused face charges related to theft, habitual theft, criminal breach of trust by persons in positions of responsibility, criminal conspiracy, cheating and embezzlement.

SIT Probe Triggered Action

The controversy escalated after a Special Investigation Team submitted its findings to the Uttar Pradesh government, following which an FIR was registered and arrests began.

Government sources have maintained that the administration is following a "zero-compromise" policy in the matter and that no individual, regardless of status, will be shielded if evidence establishes wrongdoing.

The reported resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra are being viewed as the most significant fallout yet from the ongoing investigation.

Political Heat Intensifies

The development also coincided with AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal's visit to Ayodhya. Taking a swipe at him, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath remarked that while Delhi had given Kejriwal repeated opportunities, he had "given nothing except corruption."

Drawing a comparison between Ayodhya and Delhi, the Chief Minister said that if the same governance model implemented by the BJP government in Ayodhya were adopted in the national capital, "Delhi too would shine just like Ayodhya Dham."

The donation theft case has emerged as one of the most sensitive controversies surrounding the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Following allegations of embezzlement of devotees' offerings, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted an SIT to investigate the matter. Acting on its report, police registered an FIR, arrested eight accused and launched a wider probe. Friday's reported resignations of senior Trust members mark the biggest administrative development in the case so far, although the Trust is yet to officially confirm them.