Lucknow, July 2 -- Champat Rai, who has resigned as general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust following the donation controversy, was the Trust's executive face and voice since Ram temple construction work began in Ayodhya on August 5, 2020. Of the 15 trustees, only Anil Mishra (who has also resigned) and Mahant Dhinendra Das were Ayodhya locals while the remaining were outsiders not involved in the Trust's day-to-day work in the temple town, people familiar with the matter said. While Anil Mishra was considered Rai's close aide, Mahant Dhinendra Das remained confined to his ashram, creating a vacuum that Champat Rai filled. "There was no one to question Champat Rai in Ayodhya," said a senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader not willing to be named. As Trust chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Das was ailing and construction committee chairman Nripendra Misra's role focused on construction work, Rai's writ ran large over Ayodhya. "Nripendra Misra's role was confined to the construction work of Ram Mandir. He never interfered in the Trust's working," said another RSS leader pleading anonymity. "All these factors paved the way for Champat Rai to wield power in Ayodhya," said a Vishva Hindu Parishad leader. Rai touched base with everyone who mattered in Ayodhya - from prominent sadhus of the Mani Ram Das Chhavni to government officials. From donation boxes to bank deposits, Rai's alleged close aides controlled various aspects at the temple. The system continued to work until the donation controversy entered the public domain and the state government stepped in, constituting a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) at the Trust's request. The team reached Ayodhya on June 15 and returned to Lucknow on June 20 after conducting its preliminary inquiry. The SIT submitted its preliminary report to the state government on June 23. It has been given an extension till July 15....