Ram Temple Trust Reconstitution Likely On July 11; CEO Race Narrows To 2 Names, New Trustees May Be Inducted

Lovelesh Kumar Mishra, Ayodhya: The arrest of eight accused in the Ram Temple donation theft case during the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigation along with the resignation of two trustees has intensified talks around reorganisation of the the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust

 Trust's Quarterly Meeting On July 11

The SIT has also recommended not only restructuring in its preliminary report but has also expressed the need to appoint an administrative officer as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In this regard, the Trust's quarterly meeting, scheduled for July 11, assumes significance.

With more than a week remaining for the meeting, the central government will likely make a final decision regarding the appointment of the CEO.

Following the SIT's preliminary report last Tuesday, FIR on Thursday, and the arrest of the accused on Friday, pressure mounted on the Trust's General Secretary, Champat Rai, and member, Dr Anil Kumar Mishra, to resign. As per reports, amid due pressure from the RSS, VHP and the media, the two officials submitted their resignations on the instructions of the Prime Minister's Office.

ALSO READ: Ram Temple Donation Theft: Ex-Banker Handling Cash Counting Was Appointed As Trust Employee By A 'Politician'

On Saturday, Treasurer Swami Govinddev Giri made the information public by posting a letter on the trust's X handle. He also stated that the resignation will be considered for acceptance at a trust meeting.

The trust's quarterly meeting is expected on July 11. Trustee Swami Vishwaprasanna Tirtha said that a decision on the resignation will be made after discussion with the trustees at the meeting. Meanwhile, while a decision on the appointment of a CEO has not yet been made, the names of two retired administrative officers are being discussed.

The name of Nripendra Mishra, chairman of the Ram Temple Construction Committee, was already being discussed and now, the name of retired IAS officer Yogeshwar Ram Mishra is also doing rounds.

Yogeshwar Ram Mishra, a 2005-batch IAS officer and native of Prayagraj, is currently posted as Member (Administrative) in the Uttar Pradesh State Public Service Commission. He also served as District Magistrate of Ayodhya from January to March 2016.

ALSO READ: Ram Mandir Donation Row: 8 Accused Sent To 3-Day Judicial Custody; Champat Rai, Anil Mishra Resign From Trust | Top Updates

If Resignation Is Accepted, 3 Posts Will Become Vacant

If the resignations of both trustees are accepted, three positions in the trust will become vacant. One position has been vacant for nearly a year due to the death of Bimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, the head of the Ayodhya royal family.

Meanwhile, Trust President Mahant Nritya Gopaldas, member and advocate K Parasaran, and some other trustees are already inactive due to health and old age. They are only able to attend meetings online. Therefore, if the Trust is reconstituted, new names could be considered to replace these trustees.

Trust's Bylaws Will Have To Be Changed For Appointment Of CEO

If the central government appoints a CEO to the trust, it will first require changes to the bylaws. Legal experts said that a CEO cannot be appointed without changing the trust's rules. The current rules do not provide for the position of CEO.