Nirmala Yadav becomes first woman trustee of Ram Temple trust

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has inducted its first woman trustee and made several key appointments, including a new chief executive officer (CEO) and general secretary.

The changes were announced on Wednesday, nearly three months after allegations of donation theft at the Ayodhya temple triggered probes, arrests and the resignation of Champat Rai as the trust’s general secretary.

Former treasurer Govind Dev Giri has now been appointed full-time general secretary, while former Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra has been selected as the trust’s first CEO.

Three new trustees inducted

The trust has appointed three new trustees to fill vacant positions. They are Delhi-based businessman Mahesh Bhagchandka, former additional advocate general Madan Mohan Pandey and Nirmala Yadav, a long-time Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker and former principal of PG College, Shikohabad.

Yadav is the first woman to become a trustee of the Ram temple trust.

Bhagchandka, who was associated with Ram Janmabhoomi movement leader Ashok Singhal, will take over as treasurer from Giri.

“Out of three names shortlisted by the search committee, the trust selected former Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra for the CEO’s post,” said Krishna Mohan after the meeting.

“Govind Dev Giri has accepted to be full-time general secretary,” he added.

No decision was taken on appointing a spokesperson for the trust, Mohan said.

CEO role brings professional oversight

Mishra’s three-year appointment as CEO introduces a professional management role for the trust’s day-to-day operations. His responsibilities are expected to cover areas such as security, logistics, crowd management and the handling of the trust’s substantial funds.

The appointments come against the backdrop of the donation theft allegations that emerged in June. Samajwadi Party leader Tej Narayan ‘Pawan’ Pandey had alleged on June 7 that donations worth ₹5 crore to ₹7.5 crore were siphoned off from temple offerings.

Donation theft case under probe

The state government constituted an SIT on June 13 to investigate the allegations. The team visited Ayodhya between June 15 and 20 before submitting its preliminary report to the state home department on June 23.

An FIR was registered on June 25 against eight named accused and other unidentified people. The accused were arrested on June 26.

The latest appointments mark a significant administrative change for the trust as investigations into the alleged donation theft continue.