Ram Temple Trust Displays Valuables Amid Allegations of Missing Donations

Trust displays ornaments of Ram temple, says costly donations 'safe'

NEW DELHI: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday displayed ornaments and other valuables donated by devotees, asserting that all offerings were safe and properly accounted for as it sought to address allegations of missing "high-quality" temple donations. The gold-plated Ramcharitmanas worth Rs 5 crore, gifted to the temple was also put on display.

Speaking to reporters in Ayodhya, the trust's treasurer, Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj, showcased several ornaments and referred to the official register documenting donated items. "Allegations are made that various other high-quality offerings and donated items also vanished without a trace. We have brought the register containing the records of all these items to show you; we will present the details of all the items in question. We are going to display all of these before you today," he said.

Giri said the trust maintains a register of nearly 2,800 donated items and that every one of them was safe. He added that the trust would tighten its procedures to ensure complete transparency in the handling of offerings. "Furthermore, we wish to inform you that we possess a register listing 2800 such items, and all of them are safe. We have brought these five specific items—which have been the subject of discussion—merely as samples to show you," he said.

Also read: Trust accepts Champat Rai, Anil Mishra's resignation amid Ram temple donation row

It said that nearly 2,926 offerings have been received by the trust. "Devotees wishing to verify the utilisation of their offerings or obtain information regarding them are requested to visit Ayodhya after scheduling an appointment with a trust official," it said.

The trust is scheduled to meet again on August 22, when it expects to receive the special investigation team's final report into the alleged donation theft. Giri said the meeting would discuss the probe's findings and the appointment of additional trustees.

Calling for strict action against those responsible, the Trust treasurer said, "theft is theft." "We are meeting again on the 22nd. We anticipate that the SIT’s final report will be available to us by that time; we are meeting on the 22nd to deliberate on that report and to appoint additional trustees. We wish to state unequivocally that theft is theft, and the SIT is currently investigating the matter; that is the administration's responsibility. We, too, strongly urge that the perpetrators be apprehended—including any accomplices who may still be in hiding—and that they receive the punishment they deserve for their crime; we are firm on this point," he said.

The trust accepted the resignation of trustees Champat Rai and Anil Mishra after the donation theft row.