Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the management of Ram Temple donations as the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust held a meeting to decide its first full-time CEO. 

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday raised concerns over the management of Ram Temple funds, saying he hoped there would be no theft of “Ram Dhan” as the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust met to discuss the appointment of its first full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The Trust meeting in Ayodhya was convened to consider three shortlisted candidates recommended by a search committee for the CEO position. The appointment is expected to bring a more structured administrative framework for the management of the temple complex and related operations.

Akhilesh raises questions over temple funds

Reacting to the Trust meeting, Akhilesh Yadav said that the appointment process should ensure transparency and accountability in the management of donations received for the temple.

He referred to earlier allegations regarding irregularities in temple donations and said that the faith of devotees must be protected. The allegations have been a subject of political debate, with the Trust and other parties responding to claims made by opposition leaders. 

Trust moves ahead with CEO selection

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has been working on selecting its first CEO to strengthen administrative operations.

A search committee reviewed applications and shortlisted candidates before submitting recommendations to the Trust. The meeting agenda included consideration of the shortlisted names as well as procedures and responsibilities associated with the CEO post. 

The CEO will be responsible for helping manage the growing administrative requirements of the temple, including operational planning and coordination.

Political debate continues

The issue has triggered a political exchange between opposition leaders and supporters of the temple administration.

While Akhilesh Yadav has demanded transparency over donations and management, the Trust has maintained that temple-related affairs are being handled through established procedures. 

The appointment of the first CEO is being seen as an important administrative step as the Ram temple complex continues to expand and attract devotees.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is meeting in Ayodhya to consider three shortlisted candidates for its first full-time CEO after a selection process that received 5,585 applications.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has begun a crucial meeting in Ayodhya to decide on the appointment of its first full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The meeting follows the submission of the final report by a three-member search committee, which shortlisted three candidates after screening 5,585 applications for the post. 

Trust member Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj had said the meeting would begin at 2 pm and that the decision taken would be agreed upon by the Trust members. Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, however, said the Trust would decide whether to announce the selected candidate immediately. 

Three-member panel submitted final recommendations

The search committee comprises retired Lieutenant General Vishnu Kant Chaturvedi, former scientist Suresh Haware and former Justice Pramod Kohli.

The committee's final report was submitted to the Trust on Tuesday after an extensive screening process. The panel also prepared a reserve list of three candidates, according to reports.

Kohli said the committee received 5,585 applications and created a 600-mark evaluation form based on eligibility criteria to handle the large number of applications.

The selection process subsequently involved online interactions and face-to-face interviews in Ayodhya before the final candidates were recommended. 

CEO appointment to strengthen administration

The appointment is expected to establish a dedicated executive leadership structure for the Ram temple's expanding administrative requirements.

The Trust is also considering changes to its administrative framework, including defining the powers and responsibilities of the proposed CEO and the division of duties between the CEO and other office-bearers. 

The meeting is therefore significant not only for the appointment itself but also for the broader restructuring of the Trust's management system.

The Trust is expected to take a final decision after considering the search committee's recommendations and deliberating on the candidates' suitability for the post.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is scheduled to hold an important meeting on Wednesday, where it is expected to appoint a permanent general secretary and fill three vacant trustee positions. The meeting comes shortly after the alleged donation theft case at the Ram Temple, making it one of the trust's most significant administrative gatherings in recent weeks.

The meeting will begin at 4:00 pm under the chairmanship of Trust President Mahant Nritya Gopal Das. Treasurer Govind Dev Giri and Shankaracharya Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati have already arrived in Ayodhya to participate in the proceedings.

Race for General Secretary Post

Acting General Secretary Krishna Mohan and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) General Secretary Bajrang Lal Bagra are considered the leading contenders for the permanent general secretary's post.

The appointment is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening the trust's administrative functioning, especially at a time when the temple administration is under increased public attention.

Three Trustee Positions Vacant

The vacancies arose after the trust accepted the resignations of former General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Dr. Anil Mishra during its meeting on 6 July. Both leaders had submitted their resignations on 26 June.

Following their exit, retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Krishna Mohan was appointed as the acting general secretary.

A third trustee position became vacant after the demise of Bimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, head of the Ayodhya royal family and a member of the trust. The meeting is expected to finalize appointments for all three vacant positions.

Meeting Held Amid Donation Theft Probe

The trust meeting is being held against the backdrop of the recently reported Ram Mandir donation theft case, which has drawn significant public attention.

While the trust has not officially stated that the matter is part of the meeting agenda, the case has heightened the importance of the discussions. The meeting is expected to focus on strengthening administrative oversight and ensuring smooth management of the temple's affairs.

CEO Appointment Nears Final Stage

Alongside the trustee appointments, the process of selecting a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Ram Temple administration has entered its final phase.

According to available information, nearly 5,500 candidates from across the country have applied online for the position. The newly appointed CEO is expected to assume charge after Raksha Bandhan (28 August).

The CEO will oversee the temple's administration, daily operations, infrastructure management, security, and facilities for devotees.

The decisions taken during Wednesday's meeting are expected to shape the future administrative structure of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust as it continues to manage one of India's most prominent religious institutions.

The alleged theft of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has taken a dramatic turn, with the investigation widening, internal differences emerging within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and authorities preparing strict action against the accused. As the Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues its probe, fresh allegations, political reactions, and possible demolition of illegally constructed properties have intensified the controversy.

In a significant development, Trust trustee Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj publicly blamed Ram Mandir construction in-charge Gopal Rao for the situation. He alleged that Gopal Rao had created confusion within the Trust and accused him of "playing politics." Mahant Dinendra Das also claimed that Gopal Rao does not follow the traditional customs associated with Lord Ram, adding that the responsibility for the controversy rests with him.

The remarks mark the first visible public disagreement among senior members of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust since the donation theft case surfaced. Gopal Rao, originally from Karnataka, serves as the temple's construction in-charge and is an invited member of the Trust.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government is reportedly preparing stringent action against those accused in the case. According to official sources, the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) has identified several residential properties allegedly built in violation of building regulations or without approved maps. These properties, reportedly linked to the accused, may soon face demolition proceedings after the issuance of legal notices.

Among the structures under scrutiny are the under-construction residence of accused Lavkush Mishra in Shahadatganj and the house of Anukalp Mishra in Kaushalpuri. Authorities are examining whether these properties were constructed after the accused became associated with temple-related work and whether they comply with local development regulations.

The investigation has also received a fresh lead after a video surfaced allegedly showing Amit Shukla, brother of accused Avinash Shukla, holding bundles of currency notes. Police have confirmed that the authenticity of the video is being verified as part of the ongoing investigation.

The SIT, whose tenure has now been extended until July 15, continues to expand the scope of its inquiry. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath approved the extension after investigators sought additional time to complete a detailed probe. The SIT had earlier submitted its preliminary findings to the Home Department on June 23.

Investigators have already questioned several key individuals connected with the Trust. General Secretary Champat Rai was interrogated for nearly three hours, while further questioning of trustee Dr. Anil Mishra is expected to verify details regarding the appointment of accused employees Lavkush Mishra and Anukalp Mishra.

The case first came into public focus on June 7, following allegations of large-scale embezzlement of temple donations. An SIT was constituted on June 13, and an FIR was registered on June 25, leading to the arrest of eight individuals allegedly involved in the misappropriation of donation funds.

Police investigations have revealed substantial cash recoveries from the accused. Officials recovered nearly ₹79.85 lakh in cash, 1,121 US dollars, and gold and silver ornaments from various locations linked to the accused. According to investigators, several of the accused allegedly acquired properties worth crores using the misappropriated donation money.

Among those arrested are Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Karunesh Pandey, Manish Yadav, Ramshankar Mishra, and Subhash Chandra Shrivastava. They have all been remanded to 14-day judicial custody.

The probe has also extended to banking transactions. Police have sought account details of employees from multiple branches of the State Bank of India in Ayodhya to examine financial transactions and identify any wider network linked to the alleged embezzlement.

Adding another dimension to the case, a report prepared by RSS functionary Anil Kumar has reportedly been submitted to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat after reviewing temple administration, Trust functioning, and the alleged financial irregularities. Sources indicate that the report could influence discussions during the upcoming Trust meeting scheduled for July 6 in Ayodhya.

Political reactions have also intensified. Uttar Pradesh BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary said that anyone found guilty would not be spared, irrespective of their position. Union Minister S.P. Singh Baghel stated that crimes involving religious institutions evoke stronger public emotions and asserted that the SIT investigation would bring out the complete truth. State ministers Dayashankar Singh and Dharamveer Prajapati also expressed confidence that the investigation would proceed impartially and all facts would emerge.

As the investigation progresses, authorities continue to examine financial records, property documents, CCTV monitoring systems, and the functioning of the temple's donation management process. The outcome of the SIT's final report is expected to determine the next course of legal and administrative action in one of the most sensitive cases involving the Ram Mandir Trust.