Champat Rai, former general secretary of the Ram Temple trust, has denied approving the 2025 cash-counting guidelines and accused the State Bank of India (SBI) of negligence.

In a submission to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), Rai stated he personally signed all pages of a 2024 agreement with SBI regarding security measures like CCTV cameras and iron-barred doors.However, he claimed he was unaware of a separate 2025 agreement involving former trustee Anil Mishra and SBI's Naya Ghat branch manager.Rai alleged that SBI ignored its own chest room protocols, allowing staff to use clothing with pockets and not enforcing frisking procedures.The controversy emerged after allegations of ₹5-7.5 crore theft from temple donations, leading to the formation of an SIT and arrests of eight employees.The trust has accepted resignations of Rai and Mishra, and appointed a new interim general secretary.The case has significant religious and political implications in Uttar Pradesh, with elections expected soon.