The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Wednesday appointed Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd) as its first chief executive officer, former treasurer Govind Dev Giri as its new general secretary and Mahesh Bhagchandka as treasurer at a meeting held here.
Mishra, who headed the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, was selected from a shortlist of three candidates after the Trust’s selection committee scrutinised 5,585 applications.
The other shortlisted candidates were Major General Sanjay Pratap Singh Bisht and Shruti Hardwari.
The appointment of the 62-year-old comes in the wake of the controversy over the alleged embezzlement of temple donations that led to the arrest of eight people and the resignation of Champat Rai as general secretary.
The search committee was headed by Justice Pramod Kohli (retd) and comprised Lt Gen Vishnukant Chaturvedi (retd) and former scientist Suresh Haware. It submitted its final report to Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri on Tuesday.
Of the 5,585 applications received, 3,577 candidates submitted details for evaluation under a 600-mark framework. The process subsequently narrowed to 108 candidates who scored 470 marks or more for virtual interactions, followed by 16 candidates being interviewed in person in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12.
The Trust also inducted Madan Mohan Pandey of Ayodhya, Bhagchandka of Delhi and Dr Nirmala Yadav of Shikohabad as new trustees. The meeting was held in two sessions, with the newly inducted trustees joining the second session online, interim secretary Krishna Mohan said.
This was the third meeting of the Trust since the alleged donation theft came to light. The CEO selection process involved AI-assisted screening as well as manual assessment, Trust officials said.
Mishra, who hails from Deoria district, served in the Indian Air Force, receiving several military decorations, including the Yudh Seva Medal.
Pandey is an advocate who represented Ram Lalla Virajman in the Ram Janmabhoomi case, while Yadav is a retired college principal and academician.
Giri said Krishna Mohan had played a crucial role in steering the Trust through “troubled times”.
He said the Trust may appoint a joint CEO or deputy CEO if required and would prepare an SOP specifying the CEO’s duties and responsibilities.
“We have to make Ayodhya the world’s cultural capital. We will not leave any stone unturned for this,” he said.
