The resignations come a day after eight accused, including a close aide of Champat Rai, were arrested in the temple funds embezzlement case.

 In a major development in the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra donation embezzlement case, General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Dr Anil Mishra have resigned from their posts. Rai submitted his resignation to trust President Mahant Nritya Gopal Das.

Trustee Nripendra Misra confirmed the development to Dainik Bhaskar. "I have been informed about the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra," he said.

The resignations come amid mounting pressure on the trust following allegations of large-scale theft of cash, gold, silver and other offerings made by devotees at the Ram Temple.

Eight Accused Sent to Judicial Custody

Earlier on Thursday night, eight accused were arrested in the case, including Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu, a close associate of Champat Rai. All eight were produced before the CJM Court in Ayodhya on Friday and sent to judicial custody.

KC Verma, Prosecution Officer for Ayodhya, told reporters, "Eight accused persons were arrested, and they have been remanded until Monday. They will be produced in court again on Monday."

According to officials, a total of ₹79,85,493 was recovered from the accused. "Different amounts were recovered from them except for one — Subhash — nothing was recovered from him, though he was involved in the conspiracy," Verma added.

The FIR and Investigation

The first FIR in the case was registered late Thursday evening following a complaint filed by trust member Krishna Mohan. However, the FIR does not name senior office-bearers, including Champat Rai and Dr Anil Mishra.

The alleged theft first came to light on June 7. The Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13. The SIT submitted its preliminary report to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad on June 23.

According to sources, the SIT's investigation had reportedly identified 17 people as accused, including Champat Rai, trustee Dr Anil Mishra and construction in-charge Gopal Rao. Their inclusion in the FIR had been widely anticipated.

Kejriwal Visits Ayodhya, Demands Action

Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal visited Ayodhya on Friday to offer prayers at the Ram Temple. He described the theft as a "grave sin" and alleged that only lower-level employees had been made scapegoats.

"A massive theft has taken place at Lord Ram's home. Lord Ram's ornaments, his necklace, his footwear, the silver, gold and diamonds offered to him, as well as cash worth billions of rupees, have been stolen from the temple. Very powerful people are involved in this theft," Kejriwal said.

He further claimed, "A sham SIT has been formed and a sham FIR has been filed. The FIR names only minor players as accused, while influential individuals have been left out. There is an attempt to shield the big players."

Kejriwal later addressed a press conference at 4 pm, where he detailed his allegations.

CM Yogi Hits Back

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while responding to Kejriwal's visit, took a swipe at the AAP leader. "A gentleman from Delhi has also visited Ayodhya today. I would like to tell him that the people of Delhi gave him an opportunity to govern for several years, but he gave the city nothing except corruption," he said.

He added that if AAP had delivered the same governance in Delhi that the BJP's double-engine government has delivered in Ayodhya, Delhi too would have shone the way Ayodhya Dham does today.

Trust May Be Restructured

According to sources, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra may undergo a restructuring following the resignations. A retired IAS officer or a retired judge could be appointed as its CEO.

Sources also claim that any decision on restructuring the trust or appointing new trustees would be taken only with the concurrence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Political Reactions

Congress leader KC Venugopal said the party will raise the issue during Parliament's Monsoon Session. "This is one of the biggest issues in the country. We cannot let it go. The sentiments of millions of devotees have been hurt. The trust itself is under scrutiny. The government must answer for this," he said.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad President Alok Kumar welcomed the registration of the FIR and said he was satisfied with the action taken. However, he added that those whose names do not appear in the FIR should also be investigated.

UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said the government has directed that strict action be taken in accordance with the law.

Spiritual preacher Karpatri Maharaj, however, said he was not satisfied with the SIT's investigation and urged the Chief Minister to take strict action.