The Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust has undergone significant structural changes, appointing three new officials: Madan Mohan Pandey from Ayodhya, Mahesh Bhagchandka from Delhi, and Nirmala Yadav from Shikohabad. This move follows the arrest of several trust officials and the resignation of others who took moral responsibility amid a donation theft scandal that prompted the reorganization. Air Marshal (Retd) Jeetendra Mishra, who previously led the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, has been named the trust’s first Chief Executive Officer. He will oversee the temple’s management and financial operations.
Air Marshal (Retd) Jeetendra Mishra, who headed the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, has been appointed the organisation’s first Chief Executive Officer. He is expected to handle the temple management and financial affairs.
“They might claim to be impartial, but it is the BJP that is making the selections. Eight people allegedly linked to donation theft have been arrested. Many of them were caught in the act on camera. The temple Trust’s general secretary Champat Rai had to resign after the matter triggered a massive political row. His driver was one of the men arrested in connection with the matter. Rai has been given clean chit in the theft case by the Special Investigation Team probing the matter.
They were judged in a 600-mark evaluation process. The final interviews of 16 candidates took place in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12.
“The CEO has been appointed to legalise the theft of offerings,” said Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ajay Rai. “It was these very people who made the appointments,” said Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav. And if the bigwigs were given a clean chit, why aren’t their subordinates – those who served them – being given one too?” he said. “This has proved that under BJP rule, the only institution whose integrity remains intact is the Army, whether it is a paper leak case or a theft at the Ram Temple,” said SP spokesman Azam Khan. The temple trust said the new appointments have been made keeping in mind parameters like institutional leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision. The men finally appointed are “highly qualified professionals,” the trust has said.
