Ram Temple Trust Adds Three Members, Begins Hunt for First Full-Time CEO

The trust managing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is undergoing a significant organisational overhaul, months after a controversy over stolen donation money triggered political backlash. The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has inducted three new members and is moving towards appointing its first full-time chief executive officer (CEO) to handle management and financial affairs.

Three individuals have joined the trust to strengthen its structure: Madan Mohan Pandey from Ayodhya, Mahesh Bhagchandka from Delhi, and Nirmala Yadav from Shikohabad. The decision on who will lead the temple's day-to-day operations is expected at a later date, according to sources.

The trust has received 5,585 applications for the CEO position and will prepare a shortlist of three top candidates. The appointment marks a shift in responsibility, with the CEO set to oversee administrative and financial matters that were previously handled by the trust's leadership.

The restructuring follows the arrest of eight people linked to the counting of donation money. The trust's former general secretary, Champat Rai, resigned after the theft became a major political issue. He later told the investigating team that lax security at the bank had enabled the theft.

A meeting has been convened on Wednesday to discuss further measures. Kamalnayan Das, a member of the trust's religious affairs committee, said the priority is the smooth functioning of the temple. "I have no knowledge about who will be made the CEO. My wish is that the affairs of the temple should run smoothly," he said.