Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust Plans First-Ever CEO Post Amid Donation Scam Probe; Retired IAS Officers Emerge as Front-Runners
Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust Plans CEO Post Amid Donation Scam Probe; Nripendra Misra, Yogeshwarram Mishra Among Top Contenders
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is preparing for one of the most significant administrative changes since the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Temple began. Amid an expanding investigation into the alleged theft and misappropriation of devotees’ donations, the Trust is considering the creation of its first-ever Chief Executive Officer (CEO) post to strengthen governance, improve accountability and professionalise the management of one of India’s most prominent religious institutions.
The proposal is expected to be taken up during the Trust’s quarterly meeting on July 11, where members are likely to deliberate on recommendations submitted by a two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged financial irregularities. While the final decision is yet to be taken, retired IAS officers have emerged as the leading contenders for the proposed position, reflecting the Trust’s preference for experienced administrators capable of overseeing its increasingly complex operations.
The move comes at a time when the SIT has intensified its investigation into the alleged embezzlement of temple donations, making governance reforms a key priority for the Trust.
Trust Eyes Professional Leadership Through CEO Appointment
The proposal to create the post of Chief Executive Officer stems from the preliminary findings of the SIT, which reportedly recommended strengthening the Trust’s administrative framework to prevent future lapses and improve oversight of financial and operational systems.
Officials familiar with the development said the introduction of a CEO would bring greater professionalism to the management of the temple’s day-to-day affairs while establishing clearer lines of accountability in handling donations, assets and institutional administration.
As the Ayodhya Ram Temple continues to attract millions of devotees from across the country and abroad, the scale of its operations has grown substantially. Managing financial resources, coordinating with government agencies, supervising staff and ensuring transparency have become increasingly demanding responsibilities, prompting discussions on restructuring the Trust’s administrative setup.
Before any appointment can be made, however, the Trust will need to amend its existing bylaws, which currently do not provide for the post of Chief Executive Officer. Sources indicate that the proposal may also require the concurrence of the Central Government before being formally implemented.
Retired IAS Officers Lead the Race for the Proposed Post
Among the names being discussed, retired IAS officers are said to enjoy a clear advantage because of their extensive administrative experience and familiarity with governance at the highest levels.
Nripendra Misra Emerges as a Strong Contender
One of the foremost names under consideration is Nripendra Misra, who currently serves as Chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee.
A retired 1967-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, Misra has played a central role in planning and supervising the construction of the Ram Temple. His administrative experience spans several decades and includes some of the country’s most influential positions.
During his distinguished career, he served as:
Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from 2014 to 2019
Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
Union Telecom Secretary
Principal Secretary to former Uttar Pradesh Chief Ministers Kalyan Singh and Mulayam Singh Yadav
Awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2021, Misra is widely regarded as one of India’s most accomplished administrators. His long association with the temple project and his experience in managing large-scale public institutions make him one of the strongest contenders for the proposed CEO role.
Yogeshwarram Mishra Also Among Leading Candidates
Another prominent name under active consideration is retired IAS officer Yogeshwarram Mishra, whose administrative career has been closely associated with Ayodhya and several adjoining districts.
Originally recruited through the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Civil Services before being inducted into the IAS, Mishra belongs to the 2005 batch of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
Throughout his career, he has held several important assignments, including:
District Magistrate of Ayodhya
District Magistrate of Varanasi
District Magistrate of Barabanki
Divisional Commissioner of Basti Division
Divisional Commissioner of Devipatan (Gonda)
Following his retirement in May 2024, he was appointed as an Administrative Member of the Uttar Pradesh State Public Service Tribunal in 2025.
Officials believe his detailed understanding of Ayodhya’s administrative landscape, coupled with his experience in handling sensitive governance issues, could prove valuable if the Trust decides to create the CEO position.
Awanish Kumar Awasthi’s Name Also Figures in Discussions
Sources also indicate that Awanish Kumar Awasthi, a retired 1987-batch IAS officer, has been informally discussed as another possible candidate.
Awasthi currently serves as Chief Advisor to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and has held several high-profile assignments during his bureaucratic career.
His previous responsibilities included leading major departments such as:
Home
Tourism
Information
Energy
He also served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), where he supervised several flagship infrastructure projects.
While his name has surfaced during internal discussions, officials clarified that no formal proposal regarding his candidature has yet been placed before the Trust.
SIT Intensifies Investigation Into Alleged Donation Theft
The proposed administrative reforms come against the backdrop of an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities involving donations made by devotees at the Ram Temple.
As part of the probe, the Special Investigation Team recently questioned Champat Rai, who had stepped down as the General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, for more than three hours.
According to sources, Rai denied any involvement in the alleged financial irregularities and reportedly told investigators that he had never imagined employees entrusted with managing devotees’ offerings could engage in such misconduct.
Although he has not been named as an accused, investigators reportedly consider him an important witness due to his long-standing involvement in the Trust’s administrative functioning.
What the Investigation Is Examining
The case centres on allegations that valuables donated by devotees, including gold, silver and diamond ornaments, were allegedly replaced with counterfeit items.
Investigators are also examining allegations relating to the theft and misappropriation of cash donations received at the temple.
According to officials associated with the investigation:
Eight individuals involved in counting cash and valuables have been arrested so far.
The SIT is examining whether systemic loopholes in the donation management process enabled the alleged fraud.
Investigators are scrutinising accounting procedures, custody mechanisms and administrative safeguards governing donations received at the temple.
Financial records and other documentary evidence are also being subjected to forensic examination as part of the ongoing probe.
The investigation remains underway, with additional questioning and scrutiny expected in the coming weeks.
CEO Expected to Oversee Key Administrative Functions
Officials believe the proposed CEO would play a central role in modernising the Trust’s administrative structure.
The responsibilities of the new position are expected to include:
Financial management and oversight
Administration of temple operations
Human resource management
Coordination with government departments
Supervision of donation accounting systems
Strengthening internal audit and accountability mechanisms
Ensuring greater transparency in governance
The creation of the post is being viewed as part of a broader institutional reform aimed at aligning the Trust’s administrative systems with the growing scale of the temple’s operations.
Decision Likely at July 11 Trust Meeting
The proposal is expected to be one of the most significant agenda items when the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust meets on July 11.
If approved, the Trust will initiate the process of amending its bylaws before moving ahead with the appointment of its first Chief Executive Officer.
At the same time, the SIT’s investigation into the alleged donation theft continues to gather pace, with officials indicating that more developments could emerge as forensic examinations and financial audits progress.
The outcome of the upcoming Trust meeting is likely to shape not only the future administrative structure of the Ram Temple but also the broader framework for governance, transparency and accountability at one of India’s most revered religious institutions.
