Retd Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra named first CEO of Ram temple trust

Ayodhya (UP): The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust that manages the Ram temple on Wednesday appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first CEO and former treasurer Govind Dev Giri as new general secretary as part of a major overhaul in the wake of donation theft allegations.

Mishra, who headed the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, was selected from a shortlist of three candidates after the trust’s selection committee scrutinised 5,585 applications.

At a meeting here, the trust also announced Mahesh Bhagchandka as treasurer and inducted Madan Mohan Pandey of Ayodhya, Bhagchandka of Delhi and Dr Nirmala Yadav of Shikohabad as new trustees.

After being named the CEO of Ram temple trust, Air Marshal Mishra thanked the selection committee and the trust for giving the opportunity and expressed confidence that he will be able to do justice to the responsibility given to him.

The trust’s meeting was held in two sessions, with the newly inducted trustees joining the second session online, interim secretary Krishna Mohan said.

Mishra, who hails from Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh, has served in the Indian Air Force receiving several military decorations, including the Yudh Seva Medal.

Pandey is an advocate who represented Ram Lalla Virajman in the Ram Janmabhoomi case, while Yadav is a retired college principal and academician.

According to a statement issued by the trust, the selection committee was tasked with shortlisting three candidates for the CEO’s post within a month.

Krishna Mohan said the committee submitted three names including that of Air Marshal Mishra. After considering the three names, the trust decided to appoint Mishra as its first CEO, he said.

Mishra, 62, was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in December 1986 and retired on April 30 this year after more than 39 years of service.

During his career, he logged over 3,000 hours of flying and held several senior command and staff positions, including commandant of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment and deputy chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations).

“I consider this the blessings of Shri Ram… He has given me the opportunity to serve the temple and Ram bhakts,” Mishra said.

“I also consider myself fortunate and look forward to doing my best,” the Air Force veteran told NDTV.

The meeting was attended by the trust’s president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Giri and other trustees, while several members participated online.

Giri said Krishna Mohan had played a crucial role in steering the trust through “troubled times”.

He said the trust may appoint a joint CEO or deputy CEO if required and would prepare an SOP specifying the CEO’s duties and responsibilities.

“We have to make Ayodhya the world’s cultural capital. We will not leave any stone unturned for this,” he added.

Trust’s newly inducted trustee and senior advocate Pandey, who has been associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement since 1994, said he would discharge whatever responsibility assigned to him in a spirit of service.

On the issue of theft of temple donations, he told PTI that “the matter is under investigation and further details would emerge as the legal process progresses”.

The CEO selection process involved both AI-assisted screening and manual assessment, with applicants evaluated on a 600-mark framework, trust officials said.

Of the 5,585 applications received, 3,577 candidates furnished details for evaluation. The process was subsequently narrowed to 108 candidates scoring 470 marks or above for virtual interactions, before 16 candidates were interviewed in person in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12.

The search committee was headed by retired Justice Pramod Kohli and comprised retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and former scientist Suresh Haware. The panel recommended three professionals after assessing their leadership abilities, management expertise, integrity and vision required to head an institution of national and international significance.

The changes in the trust’s administrative structure come amid allegations of theft of donations at the Ram temple, which prompted the trust to review and strengthen its financial and administrative mechanisms.

Trust’s then general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned after the controversy and an SIT was formed to investigate the incident.

Mohan, who had been handling the general secretary’s responsibilities on an interim basis since July following Rai’s resignation, said the arrangement had now been regularised. He also credited Giri with helping steer the trust through the transition.

The trust is also expected to define the CEO’s powers and responsibilities through a standard operating procedure.

Giri also welcomed Yadav’s induction into the trust, describing it as an expansion of women’s representation in the temple’s management.

Eight persons involved in the counting of donations were arrested in the donation theft case following initial report of the SIT.