The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday accepted the resignation of its General Secretary, Champat Rai, after an intense meeting in which several trustees initially urged him to continue in office. The decision was ultimately taken after senior advocate and trust member K. Parasaran clarified that the Trust's bylaws require a resignation to be accepted once it has been submitted.

According to people familiar with the meeting, trustees unanimously expressed their desire for Rai to remain in his position, acknowledging his long association with the Ram Temple movement and his contribution to the construction of the temple. However, Parasaran, who participated in the meeting virtually and was instrumental in drafting the Trust's constitution, explained that the rules leave no room to reject a voluntary resignation.

Following the clarification, the Trust formally accepted Rai's resignation. Officials said that under the Trust's constitution, a person who resigns from an office-bearer's post can only return through a fresh appointment process. The Trust also accepted the resignation of trustee Anil Mishra during the same meeting. Both resignations come amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged theft and embezzlement of donations received at the Ram Temple.

Speaking after the meeting, Trust Treasurer Govind Dev Giri said Rai had voluntarily stepped down, feeling it would be inappropriate to continue as General Secretary until those responsible for the alleged theft are identified and punished. He also praised Rai's years of service, stating that the resignation was made out of a sense of moral responsibility rather than any established wrongdoing. As part of the administrative changes, the Trust appointed retired Indian Forest Service officer and senior RSS functionary Krishna Mohan as the interim General Secretary. It also announced plans to create the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to strengthen the temple's administrative structure. A three-member committee will recommend suitable candidates for the new position.

During the meeting, Trust members were also briefed on the progress of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged donation theft. Trustees reportedly called for strict action against those arrested in the case and emphasized the need to safeguard the faith of millions of devotees. The Trust is expected to meet again later this month to discuss the appointment of new trustees and review additional administrative matters. The developments mark one of the most significant organizational changes within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust since its formation in 2020, as it seeks to reinforce transparency and public confidence while the investigation continues.