Ayodhya police record Champat Rai’s statement in Ram temple donation embezzlement probe

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Ayodhya police have recorded the statement of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai as part of the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple, days after he offered to resign taking "moral responsibility" for the controversy, officials said on Tuesday (June 30, 2026).

A police official confirmed to PTI that Mr. Rai's statement had been recorded but declined to disclose when, where or for how long the questioning lasted.

"Yes, his statements have been recorded," the official said.

While the official refused to elaborate further, sources said Ayodhya Circle Officer Ashutosh Tiwari, who is heading the investigation, visited Mr. Rai's Bharat Kuti residence at Karsevakpuram in Ayodhya to record his statement.

According to the sources, the police sought details and documents relating to the alleged donation theft from Mr. Rai, who is believed to have become aware of the suspected fraud before it snowballed into a major political controversy.

Asked about media reports claiming Mr. Rai admitted that not lodging an FIR immediately after learning about the alleged theft was a mistake, another police official told PTI, "Sorry, can't say anything on that. What transpired is confidential and can't be shared." The sources acknowledged that the temple trust had become aware of the alleged donation theft before June 7, when the issue first entered the public domain.

Some supporters of Mr. Rai, speaking on condition of anonymity, told PTI that he was "clean" and had acted promptly after learning about the alleged fraud.

However, they were unable to explain why the FIR against the accused was lodged only on June 25, several days after a viral video circulated on June 5 purportedly showed the recovery of a bag allegedly containing stolen donation money from the residence of accused Avinash Shukla.

The controversy first erupted on June 7 after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram te