Three-member panel submits report, selection process drew over 5,500 applicants

A three-member search committee has recommended three names for the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, with the final decision expected to be made by the temple trust on Wednesday. The committee, comprising retired Lieutenant General Vishnu Kant Chaturvedi, former scientist Suresh Haware, and former Justice Pramod Kohli, submitted its report on Tuesday.

Trust Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj thanked the committee members for their "tireless work" and said the recommendations would be considered before the trust board meeting. "We are grateful for their efforts and will consider the recommendations before the Trust board meeting tomorrow," he said.

The selection process drew 5,585 applications between July 11 and 18, according to Justice Kohli. He explained that a 600-mark Google Form was created to assess candidates, with 3,570 responses received. Those scoring above 60 per cent were considered, leading to 108 candidates being shortlisted for virtual interactions. From these, 17 candidates were called for physical interviews in Ayodhya, with 16 attending, before the final three names were recommended.

Justice Kohli said the process was conducted with "transparency and fairness," adding that the three names were chosen based on their "vision, understanding of issues, and devotion to Lord Ram."

The Trust is scheduled to hold two meetings on Wednesday, from 2 pm to 3 pm and 4 pm to 6 pm. The meeting has a 12-point agenda and will be the third since allegations of donation irregularities emerged. According to a Hindustan Times report, the trust is expected to consider amendments to the trust deed that may introduce new rules, regulations, and powers for the CEO role. This would be the first such amendment since the trust was constituted on February 5, 2020.

The appointment process began in July following the resignation of former General Secretary Champat Rai and member Dr. Anil Mishra after a police case was filed. Three positions within the trust are now vacant, with the recent death of member Raja Vimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra adding to the vacancies. Jagdish Afale is expected to be announced as the trust's Secretary on Wednesday.