Ayodhya: The process to appoint the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya has entered its final stage, with interviews of shortlisted candidates scheduled as part of the selection process.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had invited applications for the CEO post until July 18 and received around 5,200 applications. Following scrutiny and screening, 54 candidates were shortlisted, of whom 18 have now been called for the first round of interviews.
The appointment is expected to strengthen the administrative structure of the temple and support the management of its expanding operations and visitor-related activities.
Three Names to Be Recommended to Trust
Following the interviews, the selection committee will prepare a panel of three candidates and submit it to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The trustees will then select one candidate from the panel for the CEO position. The Trust has maintained considerable confidentiality around the selection process.
The selection committee comprises retired Justice Pramod Kohli, Lieutenant General Vishnu Kant Chaturvedi and Mumbai-based industrialist Suresh Hawde.
The committee members were expected to reach Ayodhya on Monday evening, although there was no official confirmation regarding their arrival.
Media Delegation Reports Remain Unconfirmed
There was also discussion on Monday about a media delegation travelling from Delhi to Ayodhya ahead of the interviews. Reports suggested that the group, comprising more than 18 media representatives, was expected to reach Ayodhya around 9 am and return after attending the Raj Bhog Aarti of Ram Lalla in the afternoon.Arrangements for the media representatives were reportedly being made at the Teerth Yatri Suvidha Kendra located within the temple complex. The arrangements were said to be under the supervision of newly appointed temple secretary Jagdish Afle and temple management in-charge Narpat Dukiya.However, SP Security Vijay Shankar Mishra said he had no information about such arrangements or the reported media delegation from Delhi.
Attempts were also made to contact selection committee member Lieutenant General Vishnu Kant Chaturvedi, but he could not be reached for confirmation.
Judicial Custody of Eight Accused Extended
Meanwhile, in the high-profile case involving alleged theft of offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, the Anti-Corruption Court has extended the judicial custody of all eight accused until August 22.The accused have challenged the remand granted under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. A petition raising objections to the remand has been filed on behalf of the accused, and the court is scheduled to hear the matter on August 12.Legal Defence Counsel Kulshekhar Singh, representing the accused, had earlier objected to the invocation of provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act during the first remand.
The petition seeks cancellation of the remand, arguing that the investigating officer’s action was legally improper.
Investigating Officer Opposes Remand Challenge
In response to the petition, investigating officer and Circle Officer, Ayodhya, Ashutosh Tiwari submitted a report before the court. He described the objection raised by the accused as contrary to the applicable rules and urged the court to reject the petition.
During the hearing before the Special Court of the Anti-Corruption Organisation, all eight accused appeared through video conferencing.Separately, a hearing is scheduled for August 11 on the issue of a freeze placed on the pension account of accused Subhash Srivastava. The developments come as the Ram temple administration prepares to strengthen its institutional framework amid the growing scale of pilgrimage and administrative responsibilities in Ayodhya.
