The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first full-time chief executive officer, marking a significant restructuring of the body responsible for managing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Mishra was selected from 5,585 applicants following a screening process conducted by a three-member committee comprising retired Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and nuclear scientist Suresh Haware. The committee eventually shortlisted three candidates before Mishra was chosen by the Trust.
A decorated former fighter pilot, Mishra retired from the Indian Air Force on April 30, 2026, after nearly four decades of service. He previously served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command and led the command during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. He was subsequently awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal for his role in the operation.
As CEO, Mishra will oversee the Trust's administrative and operational functions, including developing management systems, strengthening its organisational structure and ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. His appointment represents a shift towards professional management of the temple's finances, security, staff and day-to-day operations.
The Trust also inducted three new trustees Delhi-based businessman Mahesh Bhagchandka, Ayodhya advocate Madan Mohan Pandey and retired college principal Dr Nirmala Yadav. Yadav becomes the first woman to join the Trust. Swami Govind Dev Giri has been appointed general secretary, while Bhagchandka will take over as treasurer.
The restructuring comes amid scrutiny over alleged theft of temple donations. Eight people were arrested in June after discrepancies were detected in the handling of offerings. A subsequent SIT investigation reportedly identified serious weaknesses in donation management and internal oversight, although it found no evidence of financial impropriety involving the Trust's senior leadership.
