No CEO For Ram Mandir: Trust Rejects Proposal To Create Chief Executive Post

Published 6 July 2026 · india

No CEO For Ram Mandir: Trust Rejects Proposal To Create Chief Executive Post Published By, Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 16:43 IST The meeting is

No CEO For Ram Mandir: Trust Rejects Proposal To Create Chief Executive Post Published By, Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 16:43 IST The meeting is being held at Mani Ram Chhawni, the monastery of trust president Nritya Gopal Das. Rapid Read Trust says there will be no CEO for the Ram Mandir, accepts Champat Rai's resignation amid the ongoing probe. (IMAGE: PTI) The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday rejected a proposal to create the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Ram Mandir as it convened a crucial meeting in Ayodhya amid an ongoing probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the temple. The meeting began with the acceptance of the resignation of outgoing general secretary Champat Rai, who had stepped down on moral grounds after the probe was launched into the alleged embezzlement and theft of cash and valuables donated to the temple.

The trust appointed Bajrang Bagra as its new general secretary. Outgoing trustee Anil Mishra, who had also resigned after the investigation began, is expected to attend the meeting along with Rai to present his account before the trust members. The meeting is being held at Mani Ram Chhawni, the monastery of trust president Nritya Gopal Das. Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri had asked all regular and ex officio members to attend the deliberations. The members are discussing the interim findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and reviewing the unaudited income and expenditure statement, balance sheet and other financial documents for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Nritya Gopal Das, who is hospitalised in critical condition, and senior trustee K. Parasaran, who is unable to travel because of age-related health issues, were expected to participate in the meeting via video conference.

With the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, and the recent passing of trustee Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, the Trust currently lacks a vice president to preside over meetings in the president’s absence, sources say. The e officio members include Union government secretary Prashant Lekhande, Uttar Pradesh government secretary Sanjay Prasad, Ayodhya District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi and former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nripendra Mishra. The Trust currently comprises 11 regular members, including president Nritya Gopal Das, Vasudevanand Saraswati, Vishwaprasannatirth, Parmanand Giri, treasurer Govind Dev Giri, Krishna Mohan, Dinendra Das and K. Parasaran. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses.