Ayodhya, 02 Sept (HS): On Wednesday, retired Air Marshal

Jeetendra Mishra, who played a vital role in controlling air operations during

Operation Sindoor, was named the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's

first CEO. The distinguished former Indian Air Force general resigned in April

2026 and will now handle the temple Trust's growing administrative tasks.

Former Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra, a resident of Deoria,

has been appointed as the CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust,

while Mahesh Bhagchandak, Madan Mohan Pandey and Nirmala Yadav have been

appointed as new members of the trust.

In a press release issued after the trust meeting on

Wednesday, Swami Govinddev Giri stated that the meeting of the trustees of the

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra was held in Ayodhya on Wednesday, September

2, 2026, Bhadrapada Krishna Panchami, 2083. In this, several topics were

discussed and important decisions were taken, including filling up of vacancies

in the Board of Trustees, appointment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO),

approval of the annual accounts for the year 2025-26, progress of the

investigation by the Special Investigation Team, updated information on this

matter in the Supreme Court, etc.

The Trustees have taken note of the order passed by the

Honorable Supreme Court in response to a petition filed regarding alleged

financial irregularities, directing the Special Investigation Team to

investigate these allegations, broadening the scope of the investigation both

in terms of time and subject matter. The Trust welcomes this order, which will

bring out the truth and dispel misconceptions in the public mind.

Efforts to reduce human intervention in the process of

counting cash donations were discussed. Some proposals have been received from

two banks and IIT, which will be evaluated and progress will soon be made in

this direction with the help of technology.

After discussing the recommendations of the committee formed

to select the Chief Executive Officer, the Trust selected retired Air Force

Vice Chief Jitendra Mishra to fill this role. He is expected to assume his

duties shortly. Mishra has extensive leadership experience, having served in

various departments for 39 years in the Indian Air Force. He is a recipient of

the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, the highest civilian award in the Armed Forces.

Last year's successful operation, Operation Sindoor, was conducted

under his leadership and guidance.

The Board of Trustees expressed its gratitude to the members

of the Selection Committee namely Justice ( Retd. ) Pramod Kohli, Lieutenant

General ( Retd. ) Vishnukant Chaturvedi, Suresh Howde and the Secretary of the

Committee Shri Sameer Panda for completing this important task by examining

five and a half thousand applications and interviewing hundreds of applicants

in a short period of time.

Three new Trustees have been appointed to fill the vacant

positions of three Trustees. They are: Mahesh Bhagchandka, Madan Mohan Pandey

and Dr. Nirmala Yadav. Their biographies are enclosed. The Trust also discussed

the responsibilities of its office bearers. Accordingly, Swami Govinddev Giri

will now serve as General Secretary. Mahesh Bhagchandka will now assume the

role of Treasurer. The Board of Trustees expressed their appreciation and

gratitude to Krishna Mohan for successfully discharging the duties of General

Secretary during the difficult and challenging period of the last two months.

The annual accounts for the fiscal year 2025-26 were

presented, showing total income of Rs. 237 crore and expenditures of Rs. 91

crore. Additionally, capital expenditures for construction and other projects

totaled Rs. 425 crore. At the end of the year, March 31, 2026, the Trust had a

total available balance of Rs. 1,882 crore. The Board of Trustees approved the

accounts.

Brief introduction of the new trustees

Mahesh Bhagchandka: Graduate, 68 years old, businessman,

social worker, New Delhi

- Author of the book 'Purodha of Hindutva'

- Participation in the rituals of the construction of the

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in the role of the host in the Bhoomi Pujan and

Pran-Pratishtha programs.

- Engaged in the installation of Shri Ram Stambh at 292 holy

pilgrimage sites associated with Shri Ram's forest journey

- Member of the Executive Committee of the World Hindu

Economic Forum

Madan Mohan Pandey: Law graduate, 74 years old, Advocate,

Ayodhya Cantonment

- Advocacy in the High Court and Supreme Court from 1990 to

2019 in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple case by Shri Ram Lalla Virajman and

Pujya Mahant Shri Ramchandra Paramhans Das ji.

- Responsibility of Additional Advocate General of Uttar

Pradesh for 6 years

- Vice President of Shri Hari Satsang Samiti and Patron of

Kathakar Yojana Training Centre in Ayodhya

Dr. Nirmala Yadav: Master's (Hindi and Sanskrit), Ph.D., age

66 years, Shikohabad (U.P.)

19 years of college principalship, now retired

Experience in evaluation of PhD thesis and MA answer sheets

Member of the Executive Council of the University for 15

years

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi