Ram Temple Trust Likely to Appoint CEO Amid Donation Theft Row, Assures Devotees Valuables Are 'Safe'

Last Updated:June 27, 2026, 19:02 IST

Nipendra Mishra, Chairman of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Construction Committee, is likely to be named the CEO, sources said.

The alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple has triggered a major administrative overhaul, with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust likely to appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to oversee the temple’s financial and administrative management, sources told CNN-News18.

According to the sources, Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Construction Committee, is likely to be named the CEO.

The move comes days after an FIR was registered over the alleged embezzlement of devotees’ donations and eight accused were arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police.

Trust Confirms Resignations, Reassures Devotees

Meanwhile, the Ram Temple Trust on Saturday confirmed the resignations of its General Secretary, Champat Rai, and Trustee Anil Mishra.

In a statement, the Trust sought to reassure devotees that all valuables personally handed over to its officials—including silver bricks, jewellery and other offerings made to Lord Ram—remain safe and have been fully accounted for.

“We are shocked, hurt, and deeply saddened by the incidents reported over the past few days regarding the Shri Ram Mandir (Ayodhya)… We assure everyone that we will take measures to prevent any such unfortunate situation from arising in the future," the Trust said.

Opposition Demands Wider Probe

The controversy has intensified political attacks, with the Opposition demanding a wider investigation into the alleged embezzlement.

Congress spokesperson Akhilesh Prasad Singh called for the entire case to be investigated under the supervision of a sitting Supreme Court judge, alleging that the corruption was “deep-rooted".

He also demanded the immediate arrest of those within the Trust against whom serious allegations have been made and sought the dissolution of the Trust, claiming it had lost the “people’s trust".

Singh further alleged that BJP leaders had failed to uphold Lord Ram’s “maryada" by not ordering an investigation on their own.

Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav also questioned the credibility of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government.

“An SIT has been formed, but we do not trust the SIT because this donation theft has not been happening from now; it has been going on for many years. Theft worth thousands of crores has taken place… we cannot even estimate it. The way land tampering has happened, I believe that if there is any investigation bigger than the SIT, that should be done," she said.

The Uttar Pradesh Police had arrested all eight persons named in the FIR on Thursday night. The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of cash and valuables donated by devotees is ongoing.

About the Author

Saurabh VermaSenior Sub-editor

Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Chief Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

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