Govind Dev Giri, the treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, has broken his silence over the donation embezzlement controversy at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. In a signed letter dated July 4, Giri asserted that he had no role in the daily donation collection process and that all audit reports were “safe”. His statement comes a day before a key Trust meeting, the first since the scandal erupted.
Giri Distances Himself from Daily Donation Counting
“The local trustees oversee the donation counting process,” Giri stated in his letter, distancing himself from the area where offerings in ‘hundis’ are counted. He claimed he lives in Pune and travels regularly for rituals, and that local trustees have managed donation counting since the temple's inception. Giri emphasized that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) were developed by the trustees along with the State Bank of India and were only shown to him last month.
Controversy and Resignations
The controversy began on June 7 when Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple. Initially, general secretary Champat Rai rejected the claims, stating that an internal audit found “nothing noteworthy”. However, an SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government arrested eight individuals involved in counting cash and valuables. On June 27, Giri confirmed that Champat Rai and senior trustee Anil Mishra had resigned, taking moral responsibility. Giri himself has faced scrutiny, with many believing he cannot be absolved of accountability as treasurer.
Giri’s Defence and Appeal
“We are neither for nor against anyone. We stand with the truth and urge the investigators to bring the culprits to justice,” Giri wrote. He expressed that the theft had “shattered the hearts of devotees” and described the crime as “heinous”. Giri claimed he never lobbied for any post nor took a single rupee from the Trust for travel expenses. He appealed to Trust members to establish foolproof systems for future vigilance, ensuring complete transparency in counting so that every penny donated is accounted for.
Audit and Financial Management
Giri stated that full audit reports of the Trust’s income and expenses are safe and can be examined by authorized persons anytime. As treasurer, his duty is to keep accounts, but since he is constantly on tour, chartered accountants from Pune visit Ayodhya on the last four to five days of each month to review transactions. Expenditures are made directly through bank transfers, and Giri noted he is not an authorized signatory, so his signature is not valid. “We don’t have a chequebook,” he added.
Personal Integrity and Future Trust
Giri revealed that he never requested or made efforts to become a trustee or treasurer, and serving Lord Ram brings him contentment. Since becoming a trustee, he has rarely accepted donations in cash or kind, except for Rs 11,000 from his late elder sister and a 1 kg silver brick from a woman named Neelam Gonhe—both with immediate receipts. He concluded by asserting that no attempt to tarnish Sanatan Dharma and the Ram temple will succeed. The SIT investigation continues, and Giri expressed faith in the probe and judiciary, urging impartiality.
