Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Govind Giri Promotion Angers Ayodhya Sadhus Amid Theft Probe
The trust managing the Ram temple in Ayodhya promoted Govind Giri to general secretary.
Some sadhus are angry about this decision.
They say money and offerings were stolen from a temple vault when Giri was treasurer.
They also say other trust members resigned, but Giri stayed in his position.
A former auditor reportedly questioned the promotion too.
Trust members have been meeting Champat Rai, a former senior figure.
A local journalist said Rai remains respected by many sadhus.
The theft investigation and the promotion have created tension around how the trust is being managed.
Some Ayodhya sadhus have criticised Govind Giri’s promotion from treasurer to general secretary of the temple trust.
The criticism follows allegations that offerings and donations were stolen from the temple’s vault room while Giri was treasurer.
Sadhu Anand Acharya said Champat Rai and Anil Mishra had resigned on moral grounds, while Giri remained and was promoted.
A police officer said former trust auditor Mahipal Singh had also questioned Giri’s promotion.
Trust members have continued meeting Champat Rai, whom local observers describe as influential among sadhus and associated with the Vishva Hindu Parishad.
- Who
- Govind Giri, members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust, Ayodhya sadhus, and officials involved in the theft probe.
- What
- Giri was promoted from treasurer to general secretary amid criticism linked to alleged thefts from the temple’s vault room.
- When
- The report refers to recent developments and cites Krishna Mohan’s September 2 comments about Giri’s appointment.
- Where
- Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Why
- Sadhus and a former auditor questioned the promotion because the alleged theft occurred while Giri was treasurer.
Critics’ Concerns
Trust’s Apparent Position
Giri’s promotion
Critics’ Concerns
Some sadhus argue that Giri should not have been promoted while the alleged vault theft, which occurred during his tenure as treasurer, is being investigated.
Trust’s Apparent Position
Krishna Mohan said he asked Giri to become general secretary and that Giri agreed, indicating that the appointment was treated by the trust as requiring the consent of two people.
Role of Champat Rai
Critics’ Concerns
Critics question why Rai resigned while Giri remained in office and was promoted.
Trust’s Apparent Position
Giri and trust chief executive Jeetendra Mishra have reportedly continued meeting Rai, signalling that they still consider him important to the trust’s relationships with local sadhus.
- Trust
- Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra
- Promoted official
- Govind Giri, from treasurer to general secretary
- Central allegation
- Offerings and donations were allegedly stolen from the temple’s vault room
- Resigned figures
- General secretary Champat Rai and trust member Anil Mishra
- Acting general secretary
- Krishna Mohan
- Investigation
- A police probe into the alleged theft is ongoing
- Additional criticism
- Former trust auditor Mahipal Singh reportedly questioned Giri’s promotion