Ayodhya Ram Mandir Donation Theft Case: Champat Rai has made serious allegations of negligence in security on the Ayodhya branch of SBI in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft case. In his statement to the SIT, he raised questions on the counting process and security rules.
Champat Rai SBI Allegations: Amidst the investigation into the Ayodhya Ram Temple offering theft case, former General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Champat Rai has raised questions on a new aspect of the case for the first time. In his written reply to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), he has accused the Ayodhya branch of State Bank of India (SBI) of negligence in security arrangements. Champat Rai claims that the prescribed security standards were not followed while counting the offerings, which made the theft possible. At present, these allegations will be officially confirmed only after the investigation is completed.
Many allegations were made against SBI in its reply to SIT
Champat Rai appeared before the SIT and gave a written statement. According to him, the agreement (MoU) signed between the trust and the bank had a provision for strict security arrangements during the counting of offerings. This included CCTV surveillance, secure counting rooms and other security measures. He alleged that the bank advised employees to count money on tables while sitting on chairs, while many other security related rules were not effectively followed. He says that the joint guidelines issued in February 2025 were also ignored.
Questions raised on clothes having pockets and not being searched
The former general secretary alleged that the employees engaged in counting the offerings were allowed to wear clothes with pockets and were not even searched while entering and exiting the counting room. He said that while bank chest rooms generally have strict security rules in place, such rules were not effectively enforced during the counting of temple offerings. He also claimed that some of the employees engaged in the count were hired as housekeeping staff, which should also be questioned.
Awaiting final report, investigation ongoing
Champat Rai also said that the letter containing the relevant guidelines did not bear his signature. He says that if he was not in Ayodhya at that time, he should have waited for the document to be signed.
It is noteworthy that in the offering theft case, so far eight people related to counting of offerings have been arrested. The preliminary investigation by the SIT has highlighted deficiencies in security arrangements and alleged irregularities during counting of offerings. At the same time, Champat Rai has already resigned from his post on moral grounds and has said that he will answer in detail on all the allegations after the final report of the SIT comes. At present, the investigation of the entire matter is going on and the final conclusions will be revealed only after the detailed report of the SIT.