Former Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai, on Tuesday, broke his silence over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple, saying he would respond to all allegations only after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submits its final report in the case.
Rai, who recently resigned as the trust's general secretary amid the controversy, issued a handwritten letter addressed to "Ram devotees", describing the allegations against him as "baseless" and explaining why he had chosen to remain silent until now.
He said he had observed 'maun dharan' (silence) ever since the allegations surfaced and noted that the SIT's preliminary report had already been placed before the trust's general meeting. According to him, the report, initially marked "top secret", has since been made public.
He reiterated that once the SIT submits its final report, he would respond point by point to the allegations and said "the entire truth" would be placed before the public.
Rai wrote, "...various speculations have been circulating regarding an alleged theft during the counting of donations from the donation box at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple complex. Many have levelled baseless personal allegations against me, yet I have maintained silence... I assure you that following the SIT's final report, I will address the points being raised, and the full truth will come to light..."
The alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple came to light on June 7. An FIR was registered on June 25 based on a preliminary report submitted by the SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government.
So far, eight persons associated with the temple's donation-counting process have been arrested, and the investigation is continuing.
Highlighting his own record, Rai said he had been working in Ayodhya since October 1991 after being deputed by the organisation and that his 45-year life as a full-time pracharak had always been "an open book."
Meanwhile, the Ram temple trust on Monday appointed trustee Krishna Mohan as the interim general secretary and announced plans to overhaul the donation management system to restore the faith of devotees.
