The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has implemented a major security and administrative revamp following a donation embezzlement scandal. The trust has appointed its first CEO and mandated strict staff verification after a SIT investigation uncovered 105 instances of theft.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has launched a comprehensive security and administrative overhaul at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. This transition follows a high-profile donation theft scandal that prompted an investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). In response to the breach, the Trust has introduced rigorous security protocols and underwent significant leadership restructuring to restore institutional integrity.
The administrative restructuring is anchored by the appointment of retired Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra as the Trust’s first Chief Executive Officer. Mishra, who assumed the position on September 21, 2026, is tasked with overseeing the temple's security, operational administration, and daily management. Alongside this leadership change, former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra have resigned from their previous responsibilities. Both individuals have been cleared of wrongdoing by the SIT and are now listed as prosecution witnesses in the ongoing case.
The security measures were triggered by a detailed investigation that uncovered systematic embezzlement within the temple’s donation-counting area. The SIT filed a 70,000-page chargesheet documenting 105 separate instances of theft, all verified by CCTV footage. The findings led to the arrest of eight individuals involved in the diversion of funds. To prevent future incidents, the Trust has mandated 100% police background checks and character verification for all personnel. New operational protocols include the introduction of pocketless jumpsuits for donation-counting staff, strict restrictions on mobile phones in sensitive areas, and plans for the deployment of advanced AI-enabled surveillance technology.
From a governance perspective, the institution is facing a critical period of transition. The scandal has presented notable reputational and operational challenges, with the incident becoming a focal point of public and political discourse. The Trust is currently managing the risk of further legal entanglements and public scrutiny while attempting to maintain seamless daily operations for the thousands of devotees visiting the site.
For those monitoring the stability of the institution, the upcoming court proceedings are the next key event. Bail hearings for two of the primary accused, Subhash Srivastava and Ramashankar Yadav, are scheduled for October 6 and 7, 2026. The outcome of these legal processes and the effective implementation of the new administrative and security frameworks under the new CEO will be the primary factors determining the long-term governance stability of the temple administration.