An administrative officer is likely to be appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which remains at the centre of the investigation into the alleged
embezzlement of funds at the Ayodhya-based Ram Temple.
The two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) entrusted with the probe into the allegations recommended the creation of the post in its preliminary report, according to Hindustan Times, citing an official.
The recommendation aims to strengthen the Ram Temple trust’s administrative functioning, said the official, adding that the proposal may figure prominently during the Trust’s quarterly meeting on July 11. Before the meeting, the Central Government is also likely to make a decision on the matter.
Recommendation Of Names
According to the official, discussions for the proposed CEO post are likely to feature the names of Ram Mandir Construction Committee chairman Nripendra Misra and retired IAS officer Yogeshwarram Mishra, Hindustan Times reported.
Retired IAS officer Mishra has served as the District Magistrate of Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Barabanki.
Meanwhile, an official decision is still awaited on the matter. The proposed recommendation for the CEO post would prompt the Ram Temple trust to make amendments to the bylaws, as the existing rules do not provide for the post.
Champat Rai On SIT Radar
The probe into the allegation of the embezzlement of funds at the Ram Temple gained momentum on Monday as the SIT questioned Champat Rai –– who recently tendered his resignation as the General Secretary of the temple trust –– for over three hours.
The controversy stems from allegations that devotees’ offerings of gold, silver, and diamond ornaments at the Ram Temple were swapped with counterfeits, alongside the theft of monetary donations.
Sources told CNN-News18 that Rai maintained during the questioning that he had no role in the alleged theft of donations and that he had never imagined employees entrusted with handling temple donations could commit such an offence.
While Rai has not been named an accused in the case, investigators describe him as a key witness, given his prominent role in the administrative functioning of the trust. So far, eight people entrusted with the counting of cash and valuables at the temple have been apprehended.
