New Delhi

The search committee constituted to select the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust (SRJTKT) has shortlisted three candidates and submitted their names to the Trust, the committee said on Tuesday (September 1, 2026).

The Trust, which oversees the Ram temple in Ayodhya, is expected to choose one of the three candidates at a meeting on Wednesday (September 2, 2026).

The decision to appoint a CEO came amid the controversy over alleged theft and irregularities in the handling of donations at the temple. Following the embezzlement allegations, SRJTKT general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned.

On July 6, the trust announced a major administrative overhaul, including the creation of the CEO post. The move was aimed at strengthening administrative oversight and restoring confidence in the trust’s functioning.

“The trust was also considering changes to its bylaws to formally provide for a CEO and clearly define supervisory responsibilities, particularly in relation to fund management,” a source close to the selection committee informed.

Selection process

To select the CEO, a three-member committee was formed comprising retired Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General V.K. Chaturvedi and scientist Dr. Suresh Haware.

The selection process began in July after the committee finalised the eligibility criteria, which included experience in temple administration and being a “staunch Hindu”. Applications were closed on July 18, following which online interviews were held in early August. Sixteen candidates were subsequently called to Ayodhya for in-person interactions on August 11 and 12.

“A total of 5,585 applications were screened using AI-assisted tools as well as manual review,” said search committee secretary Sameer Panda. The evaluation was conducted by teams based in Delhi-NCR, Pune and Sambalpur in Odisha, Mr. Panda said.

The names of the shortlisted candidates have not been disclosed, but sources said the panel includes candidates from government and private sectors. The three names have not been placed in any order of preference.

The committee’s final report was presented at a meeting attended by trust treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri, Mahant Dinendra Das, acting general secretary Krishna Mohan and Ayodhya District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi.

Amid the Ram Temple embezzlement case, the Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday (June 27, 2026) vowed to restore and nurture the eternal glory of Ayodhya as a centre of faith and devotion.

He claimed that a new SP-led government of Uttar Pradesh will develop Ayodhya as a unique and exemplary religious city, where devotees will experience true spirituality.

“We take this pledge with righteousness and truthfulness that by forming a new government, we will develop ‘Ayodhya’ as a unique and exemplary religious city, where devotees coming from all over the world will experience true spirituality. With the blessings of the Lord, we will restore and nurture the eternal glory of Ayodhya as ‘Siyaram-Dham’ of faith, devotion, unwavering belief and true spirit. This will also restore the traditional pride and rights of the people of Ayodhya,” wrote Mr. Yadav on social media platform X.  

The SP further said that the ideas of Lord Ram are inherently socialist and these ideals have been followed by the party and its ideological forefathers, including socialist icon Ram Manohar Lohia.

“Socialists in India believe in the ideas and teachings of Lord Ram. Our icon, Ram Manohar Lohia, was the first leader in independent India to start the Ramayan Mela in the 1960s. We want a socialist, democratic India based on the teachings of Lord Ram. Our leader, Akhilesh Yadav ji, is carrying forward Lohia ji’s rich socialist legacy. The BJP and RSS have sold the name of Bhagwan Ram for political gain and played with the emotions of devotees,” said Sunil Singh Yadav ‘Sajan’, the SP spokesperson.