Amid intense scrutiny following the alleged theft of offerings from the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj has categorically dismissed widespread reports claiming that he was planning to resign from his post, calling the claims “completely false” and asserting that he has neither contemplated stepping down nor faces any pressure to do so.
Addressing a press conference in Pune on July 15, the senior Trust functionary said he was compelled to publicly clarify the matter after national media reports suggested that he, too, was preparing to resign in the wake of the controversy.
“Yesterday, reports were being circulated everywhere that I was going to resign as Treasurer. I never said anything of that sort, nor is there any such thought in my mind.”
Pune, Maharashtra: Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Swami Govinddev Giri Maharaj, says, “Here in Pune, where we are sitting today, there is just a one-room house with a kitchen, and not even a single brick of it is in my name. The reports claiming that… pic.twitter.com/IklsPgZlpb
— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2026
Making his position unequivocally clear, he added, “I called all of you today because yesterday reports appeared in the national media that the Treasurer was also planning to resign. Many people were hurt by this, and I received messages and calls. This news is baseless. I have neither thought of resigning nor do I feel there is any need for it.”
Pune, Maharashtra: On reports claiming that he was planning to resign from his post, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri says, "I called all of you today because yesterday reports appeared in the national media that the treasurer was also… pic.twitter.com/rII2AxkdZe
— IANS (@ians_india) July 14, 2026
Invoking the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Swami Govind Dev Giri declared that abandoning responsibility during a crisis was not part of his values. “I am a follower of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; I do not abandon the field.”
Rejecting insinuations surrounding his integrity, he also highlighted his simple personal life, stating that despite holding one of the Trust’s most significant positions, he owns virtually no property.
“Here in Pune, where we are sitting today, there is just a one-room house with a kitchen, and not even a single brick of it is in my name.” The remarks appeared aimed at countering speculation and allegations that surfaced after the controversy over the alleged theft of mandir offerings.
While firmly rejecting reports about his resignation, Swami Govind Dev Giri acknowledged that the incident had deeply shaken the Trust.
“In the meeting held on the 6th, we all collectively expressed that whatever happened has deeply saddened us. We are hurt and ashamed. Such a thing should not have happened. We had never imagined that such an incident would take place, and therefore, the pain in our conscience is immense.”
Describing the alleged theft as more than just a financial crime, he said it had hurt the faith of millions of devotees. “Primarily, this is a hurt to the faith of Ram devotees and a conspiracy against their devotion. It is our responsibility to restore that faith.”
Pune, Maharashtra: Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri says, "Primarily, this is a hurt to the faith of Ram devotees and a conspiracy against their devotion. It is certain that removing this will take time, but we will do it; it is our… pic.twitter.com/OlezCjklOi
— IANS (@ians_india) July 14, 2026
Clarifying another issue that has generated public debate, Swami Govind Dev Giri said former Trust General Secretary Champat Rai resigned voluntarily after acknowledging administrative lapses.
“Champat Rai resigned voluntarily. It would not be correct to say that he was made a scapegoat. But he acted negligently. He himself realised this, and therefore resigned of his own free will. No one pressured him to resign.”
Pune, Maharashtra: Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Swami Govinddev Giri Maharaj, says, “Champat Rai resigned voluntarily… It would not be correct to say that he was made a scapegoat. But he acted negligently. He himself realised this, and therefore… pic.twitter.com/LgPV9fgemi
— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2026
The Treasurer also expressed confidence in the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, stating that the Trust was fully cooperating and had no intention of influencing the investigation.
“I am satisfied with the SIT investigation. I am not exerting any influence on anyone. We are not trying to influence the investigation in any way, and why would we? This crime has been committed against Bhagwan Ram. Such evil-minded people must be punished.”
He also dismissed reports claiming that valuables worth Rs14 crore, including gold and silver, had been stolen, describing those figures as entirely inaccurate. “I can give a rough estimate that the theft is likely to be around Rs 3 crore. The reports that gold, silver and other valuables worth Rs 14 crore were stolen are completely false.”
Pune, Maharashtra | Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Swami Govinddev Giri Maharaj, says, “… I can give a rough estimate that the theft is likely to be around Rs 3 crore… The reports that gold, silver and other valuables worth Rs 14 crore were stolen… pic.twitter.com/tsIwz1NdKX
— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2026
Swami Govind Dev Giri revealed that the Trust has already initiated major reforms in the handling and counting of Mandir offerings after identifying procedural shortcomings that allegedly enabled the theft.
According to him, personnel handling donations now wear pocketless uniforms and are subjected to mandatory frisking while entering and leaving the counting area. Earlier, although a dress code existed, security checks were conducted only intermittently.
“The people involved have a dress code. They have to wear specific attire without pockets, and they should be checked while entering and leaving. This was not happening regularly; sometimes it happened. Now we have made it compulsory every day.”
The Trust has also replaced the earlier practice of counting currency on tables with floor-based counting. Explaining the rationale, Swami Govind Dev Giri said that counting cash on tables while workers sat on chairs made it easier to conceal bundles of currency.
“If currency notes are kept on a table and someone is sitting on a chair, it becomes easier to take out a bundle and put it in their pocket. We immediately stopped this practice, and now the entire counting is being done while sitting on the floor.” He said these measures were aimed at ensuring that such lapses never recur and restoring the confidence of devotees.
Pune, Maharashtra: On Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's Ram Raksha Andolan, Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Swami Govinddev Giri Maharaj, says, “It is good that they have remembered Ram; let them first memorise the Ram Raksha Stotra, and then… pic.twitter.com/EsCVud5DTR
— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2026
Commenting on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s proposed Ram Raksha Andolan, Swami Govind Dev Giri welcomed the renewed invocation of Bhagwan Ram while taking a political swipe. “It is good that they have remembered Ram; let them first memorise the Ram Raksha Stotra, and then we, too, will join them.”
