Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Ram Temple Trust Nears Decision on First CEO Appointment
The Ram Temple Trust wants to hire its first chief executive officer, or CEO.
A CEO would help manage the temple’s daily work and administrative arrangements.
A committee looked through 5,585 applications and chose three finalists.
Sixteen people were interviewed in person in Ayodhya.
The Trust’s members will choose one finalist at a meeting on Wednesday.
The CEO may oversee pilgrims, major religious events and coordination with government agencies.
The Trust is making this change after allegations involving stolen offerings and concerns about financial oversight.
Reports do not agree about who the three finalists are.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is expected to choose its first CEO at a Wednesday meeting in Ayodhya.
A three-member panel reviewed 5,585 applications, held discussions with 16 finalists and submitted three names to the Trust.
The panel comprised retired Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General Vishnu Kant Chaturvedi and Suresh Haware.
Reports differ on the finalists: one names Rajesh Pandey, Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and Paresh Saxena, while another says all three are from Uttar Pradesh and none is a retired bureaucrat or police officer.
The meeting may also address the Trust secretary, vacant trustee and general secretary posts, and restructuring of its administrative committees.
- Who
- The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and its three-member CEO search committee.
- What
- The Trust is expected to select its first Chief Executive Officer and discuss other leadership vacancies.
- When
- At a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, identified in one report as September 2; reports differ on when the panel submitted its final report.
- Where
- At Maniram Das Chhawani, reportedly at Trust president Nritya Gopal Das’s residence, in Ayodhya.
- Why
- The Trust wants stronger administrative oversight and improved management following allegations of offering theft and financial irregularities.
- Applications reviewed
- 5,585 applications were received and reviewed.
- Final interview group
- Sixteen candidates participated in face-to-face interactions in Ayodhya.
- Shortlist
- The search committee submitted three names for the CEO position.
- Search committee
- Pramod Kohli, Vishnu Kant Chaturvedi and Suresh Haware.
- Proposed CEO responsibilities
- Administrative functioning, pilgrim facilities, major religious-event arrangements and coordination with government agencies and stakeholders.
- Other possible decisions
- The Trust may announce its secretary and consider two trustee positions and a general secretary.
- Named secretary
- Jagdish Ofale is reported as the proposed first secretary of the Trust.
Sources
Ram Temple Trust to hold key meet in Ayodhya today; decision likely on CEO post
Ram Temple CEO Selection Nears Final Stage; Three UP Candidates Shortlisted
UP: Selection Panel Zeroes In on 3 Names for Ram Temple’s First CEO
Ram Temple trust to appoint first CEO; final decision expected on Wednesday
