AYODHYA: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the Ram temple in Ayodhya, on Wednesday appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first chief executive officer (CEO), while former treasurer Govind Dev Giri was named the new general secretary as part of a restructuring of its administration.
The appointments come amid allegations of theft of temple donations, following which the trust has been reviewing its financial and administrative systems. Eight people involved in donation counting were arrested after an SIT began investigating the case.
Mishra, 62, was selected from three shortlisted candidates after 5,585 applications were received for the post. The selection process involved AI-assisted screening as well as manual evaluation. Of the applicants, 3,577 submitted details for assessment, with 108 qualifying for virtual interactions and 16 eventually appearing for personal interviews in Ayodhya.
The selection committee, headed by retired Justice Pramod Kohli, recommended three candidates after assessing leadership, management experience, integrity and vision. Mishra, a former fighter pilot who retired from the Indian Air Force on April 30 after more than 39 years of service, had also headed the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor.
The trust appointed Mahesh Bhagchandka as treasurer and inducted advocate Madan Mohan Pandey, Bhagchandka and retired academician Dr Nirmala Yadav as trustees.
Pandey had represented Ram Lalla Virajman in the Ram Janmabhoomi case, while Yadav’s induction increases women’s representation in the trust’s management.
Giri said the trust may appoint a joint CEO or deputy CEO if required and would formulate a standard operating procedure defining the CEO’s powers and responsibilities. He said the trust aimed to help make Ayodhya a global cultural centre.
The restructuring follows the resignation of former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra amid the donation controversy. Krishna Mohan, who had been handling the general secretary’s duties on an interim basis, will now continue in the role until the new arrangement takes effect.
Mishra said he regarded his appointment as an opportunity to serve the temple and devotees and expressed confidence in fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to him.