Ayodhya Ram temple trust to select first CEO from 3-member shortlist

Ayodhya: The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is set to decide on its first chief executive officer (CEO) on Wednesday after a three-member selection panel shortlisted candidates from more than 5,500 applications.

The trust is also expected to announce appointments to other vacant positions at a meeting scheduled to be held at the residence of trust president Nritya Gopal Das in Maniramdas Chhawani, Ayodhya.

The CEO selection process was conducted by a panel comprising retired Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and expert member Suresh Hawde. The panel has submitted a final shortlist of three candidates to the trust for consideration.

The trust said in a post on X that the “comprehensive, transparent, and technology-enabled” selection process had been completed after reviewing 5,585 applications and holding detailed discussions with 16 candidates.

How the CEO selection process unfolded

Justice Kohli said the trust finalised the eligibility criteria for the post before applications were invited, with the deadline set for July 18. A total of 5,585 applications were received between July 11 and 18.

The selection committee subsequently used an evaluation system carrying 600 marks to assess the applicants. After an initial screening, forms were sent to 3,577 candidates, of whom 108 met the required criteria and secured at least 470 marks.

These 108 candidates then underwent virtual interactions over around four days. Seventeen candidates were subsequently shortlisted and placed in different grades based on their performance and approach.

The panel eventually selected three candidates whom it considered best suited for the role, taking into account their commitment, vision and understanding of the responsibilities involved.

Justice Kohli described the process as transparent and fair and expressed confidence in the final panel.

“The trust will now decide which of these three individuals will serve as the CEO,” he said.

Trust faces key vacancies

The appointments come amid several vacancies in the temple trust following the death of member Vimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, the alleged theft of offerings and the resignations of former general secretary Champat Rai and member Anil Mishra.

The meeting is also expected to formally announce the trust's first secretary. Sources said Jagdish Aafle is likely to take up the position.

Aafle, a Maharashtra resident associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has been involved in managing the Ram temple construction project. An electrical engineering graduate, he holds a BTech degree and an MTech from IIT Bombay.

He reportedly worked in India, Europe and the US before retiring and later joined the temple construction project as an honorary project manager following a recommendation from the RSS.

Sources also said VHP international general secretary Bajrang Lal Bangda could be inducted into the trust.

‘Trust will take the final decision’

Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri said the appointment of the CEO would ultimately be decided by the Board of Trustees.

“We sought this guidance from a three-member selection panel because we were in search of an excellent CEO to ensure the superior management of such a big, world-renowned temple,” Giri said.

He added that the panel had examined around 5,500 applications before interviewing 16 candidates.

The trust's decision on the CEO and other appointments is expected to be taken at Wednesday's meeting.