Ram temple Trust appoints Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as first CEO

Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, who commanded the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, has been appointed as the first full-time chief executive officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya, as the trust moves to strengthen its administrative and financial management, PTI reported, citing officials.

Mishra was selected from a shortlist of three candidates after a multi-stage process that began with 5,585 applications and involved AI-enabled screening, manual assessment, virtual interactions and final interviews of shortlisted candidates.

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The decision was taken at a meeting of the Trust at Maniramdas Chhawani, the residence of Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das. The appointment comes at a time when the Trust is looking to formalise its administrative structure and strengthen oversight of the temple's expanding operations.

Mishra, a retired Air Marshal, had commanded the Indian Air Force's Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor.

The CEO post was created after an alleged embezzlement of temple donations brought greater scrutiny to the Trust's financial management. Eight people have been arrested in the case, while former general secretary Champat Rai, trustee Anil Mishra and another office-bearer stepped down following the controversy.

The Trust had set up a three-member search committee headed by retired Justice Pramod Kohli, with retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and former scientist Suresh Haware as members. The committee submitted the names of three shortlisted candidates to Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri on Tuesday.

Trust secretary Sameer Panda had said the panel recommended "three highly qualified professionals" after a comprehensive evaluation based on institutional leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision required to head an institution of national and international significance.

Reports had said retired bureaucrats were among the leading contenders for the post, although the identities of the shortlisted candidates were not disclosed before the final decision.

The selection process used a 600-mark evaluation framework. Of the 5,585 applications received, 3,577 candidates took part in the initial assessment. Those scoring 470 marks or above were shortlisted, leading to virtual interactions with 108 applicants. The final round saw 16 candidates interviewed in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12.

The appointment is also expected to give greater shape to the Trust's administrative functioning. The Trust has been considering amendments to its deed to clearly define the CEO's powers and responsibilities, institutionalise the new structure and streamline coordination among its various committees.

Delhi-based Mahesh Bhagchandka, Ayodhya-based Madan Mohan Pandey and Shikohabad-based Dr Nirmala Yadav will be the new trustees of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, as per ANI.

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Financial and administrative matters, including issues arising from the temple donation case and coordination of security arrangements with local authorities, are also part of the Trust's broader agenda.

Most Trust members had reached Ayodhya for the meeting, while some were expected to participate virtually. Before the appointment, members had remained tight-lipped about the likely choice, maintaining that the final decision would be taken only after deliberations by the board.

Mahant Dinendra Das, a member of the Trust, had said the decision would be taken "unanimously" and that the "outcome would be announced only after the meeting concludes."