Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Ram Temple Trust Appoints New Leaders Amid Donation Allegations
The group that manages the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has chosen several new leaders.
Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra became its first chief executive officer.
He is expected to serve for three years.
Govind Dev Giri became the full-time general secretary.
Businessman Mahesh Bhagchandka became the treasurer.
Lawyer Madan Mohan Pandey and educator Nirmala Yadav became trustees.
Yadav is the first woman trustee of the group.
The trust says the changes should improve its administration and facilities for visitors.
The changes came after allegations about poor supervision and missing donation money.
Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra was appointed the trust’s first CEO for a three-year term.
Govind Dev Giri became the full-time general secretary, succeeding Champat Rai.
Delhi businessman and philanthropist Mahesh Bhagchandka was appointed treasurer and described by one report as a trustee.
Ayodhya lawyer Madan Mohan Pandey and educator Nirmala Yadav joined the trust as trustees.
The leadership overhaul followed allegations of weak supervision, financial wrongdoing and stolen donation collections.
- Who
- The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust appointed Jeetendra Mishra, Mahesh Bhagchandka, Madan Mohan Pandey and Nirmala Yadav, while elevating Govind Dev Giri.
- What
- The trust reorganized its leadership, creating its first CEO position and changing senior administrative roles while adding trustees.
- When
- The appointments were announced at meetings held on Wednesday; one report dates them to September 2, 2026, and Mishra’s term is three years.
- Where
- The changes concern the Ram Temple Trust in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- The overhaul was intended to strengthen administration and supervision amid allegations involving financial wrongdoing and stolen donation collections.
Reform and Accountability
Concerns and Allegations
Reason for the leadership overhaul
Reform and Accountability
Trust representatives and incoming trustee Madan Mohan Pandey presented the changes as a way to strengthen supervision, administration and facilities for devotees.
Concerns and Allegations
Reports linked the reshuffle to allegations of weak supervision, financial wrongdoing and theft involving donation collections; the allegations were not established as facts in the articles.
Role of the new leadership
Reform and Accountability
The appointments bring military, legal, business, religious and educational experience into the trust’s administration.
Concerns and Allegations
The need for a new CEO and senior leadership changes reflects concerns reported about how the trust had previously been managed.
Trustee appointments
Reform and Accountability
Nirmala Yadav’s appointment was described as a significant step because she is the trust’s first woman trustee, while Pandey’s legal experience was highlighted.
Concerns and Allegations
The reports differ on the status of Mahesh Bhagchandka: one describes him as treasurer and trustee, while another lists him as treasurer and identifies Pandey and Yadav as the new trustees.
- Trust
- Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust
- First CEO
- Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra
- CEO term
- Three years
- General secretary
- Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, formerly the trust’s treasurer
- Treasurer
- Delhi-based businessman and philanthropist Mahesh Bhagchandka
- New trustees
- Madan Mohan Pandey and Dr Nirmala Yadav
- Historic appointment
- Nirmala Yadav is the trust’s first woman trustee
- Selection detail
- Mishra was selected from three shortlisted candidates after 5,585 applications were reviewed
