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All eyes on Ram Temple Trust as first CEO likely to be picked today
The search committee submitted its final report to the Ram Mandir Trust after sifting through 5,585 applications. The names of the three have not been disclosed
Members of the high-level selection committee, including search committee head Justice (Retd.) Pramod Kohli, second right, along with Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust officials, present the final recommendation report for the appointment of the temple's first Chief Executive Officer (CEO), in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. (Handout via PTI)
The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is likely to appoint its first full-time chief executive officer (CEO) on Wednesday, with the meeting set to begin in Ayodhya at 3 pm at Ayodhya’s Maniram Das Chhawani.
The search committee recommended a panel of three candidates for the post on Tuesday, after sifting through 5,585 applications. Retired bureaucrats are among the top contenders, sources said.
The names of the three were not disclosed.
“Based on its comprehensive evaluation, the Search Committee has recommended a panel of three highly qualified professionals to the Ram Janmbhoom Trust. These candidates represent the highest caliber of institutional leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision required to serve as Chief Executive Officer of an institution of national and international significance,” said committee secretary Sameer Panda.
“The Trust will take the final decision on the appointment and announce the selected candidate in due course,” he added.
The decision to appoint a full-time CEO came after allegations of embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple led to increased scrutiny of the Trust’s financial management. Eight accused have been arrested in the case, while three officials, including former Trust general secretary Champat Rai, have stepped down from their posts.
The committee had laid down eligibility criteria: Applicants must be between 50 and 70 years of age, have at least 20 years of administrative experience, and be willing to reside in Ayodhya. It also said the applicant must be a “practising Hindu” with “devotion to Lord Ram” and should be proficient in both Hindi and English.
The screening process
The committee said the selection process was conducted through a multi-tiered evaluation combining AI-enabled technology with manual assessment.
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According to a statement from the panel, teams worked simultaneously across Delhi-NCR, Pune and Sambalpur to screen and shortlist candidates in a “rigorous” and “transparent” process.
After the initial screening, the names were narrowed down to 16. They participated in online interactive sessions between August 3 and 6, followed by face-to-face interactions in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12.
The committee said the final three candidates were recommended after a “comprehensive evaluation”, taking into account institutional leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision required to head an institution of “national and international significance”.
The committee comprises retired Supreme Court judge Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi, and retired nuclear scientist and former chairperson of the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust in Shirdi Suresh Haware. Panda was appointed its secretary on July 14.
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“During the submission of the report, Treasurer and Trustee Govinddeo; Trustee Sant Dinendra Das; Secretary General and Trustee Krishna Mohan; Ayodhya District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi; Special Invitee Member Dinesh; Secretary Jagdish Afle; and Jagannath Gulve and Bajrang Bagada were present,” the statement said.
On Trust meet agenda
The Trust will also hold discussions on filling three vacant trustee posts and take up a range of other legal and administrative issues, including amendments to Trust deed and rules, it is learnt.
The latest status of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry into the alleged theft of donations at the temple and a public interest litigation (PIL) pending before the Supreme Court on the matter are also likely to come up in the crucial meeting, sources said.
Trust members will also discuss approval for an audited income-expenditure statement and balance sheet for 2025-26. The trustees are also expected to review compliance with decisions taken in previous meetings.
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Sources said decisions taken by the Trust’s Religious, Finance, Management and Construction committees are also likely to be placed before the members for approval.
The proposed formation of a local security coordination committee for the temple, under the chairmanship of the Trust’s general secretary, is also likely to be taken up.
Sources said the Trust is likely to consider the name of Jagdish Aphale as secretary and hold a discussion on filling the vacant posts of its members.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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