Ayodhya/New Delhi, September 2: Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (Retd), under whose leadership and guidance the successful ‘Operation Sindoor’ was carried out last year, has been appointed the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, while Swami Govind Dev Giri will now serve as general secretary of the Trust.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of the trustees of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra held in Ayodhya on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, on Bhadrapada Krishna Panchami, 2083.
The meeting discussed several matters and took important decisions, including filling vacant positions in the board of trustees, appointing a Chief Executive Officer, approving the annual accounts for 2025-26, reviewing the progress of a Special Investigation Team probe, and considering information related to a matter before the Supreme Court.
The trustees took note of a court order concerning an investigation by a Special Investigation Team into alleged financial irregularities involving a reputed individual. According to the Trust statement, the scope of the investigation has been expanded in terms of both the period and the subject matter. The Trust welcomed the order, saying it would help bring the truth to light and remove confusion among the public.
The meeting also discussed efforts to reduce human intervention in the process of counting cash offered by devotees. Proposals have been received from two banks and IIT in this connection, and the Trust said they would be evaluated so that technological assistance could be introduced quickly.
Following discussion on the recommendation of a committee constituted to select the Chief Executive Officer, the Trust appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra to the post. The Trust expressed the hope that he would take charge shortly.
According to the Trust statement, Mishra has 39 years of experience in different branches of the Indian Air Force, including extensive leadership experience. He is a recipient of the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, described in the statement as the highest wartime distinguished service decoration in the armed forces.
The Trust said last year’s successful ‘Operation Sindoor’ was carried out under Mishra’s leadership and guidance.
The trustees thanked the members of the selection committee — Justice (Retd) Pramod Kohli, Lieutenant General (Retd) Vishnukant Chaturvedi, Suresh Haware and committee secretary Sameer Pandey — for examining around 5,500 applications and interviewing hundreds of candidates within a short period to complete the selection process.
The Trust also considered changes in the responsibilities of its office-bearers. Swami Govind Dev Giri will now serve as general secretary, while Mahesh Bhagchandka will take charge as treasurer.
The board thanked Krishna Mohan for successfully discharging the responsibilities of general secretary during what it described as a difficult and challenging period over the past two months.
The annual accounts for financial year 2025-26 were also presented at the meeting. According to the statement, the Trust recorded total income of ₹237 crore and expenditure of ₹99 crore during the year. In addition, capital expenditure of ₹425 crore was incurred on construction and related works.
As of March 31, 2026, the Trust had total available funds of ₹1,882 crore. The board approved the accounts.
Reacting to his appointment in Delhi, Mishra said he considered it a great fortune to have been selected from among many candidates. He said he regarded the appointment as the blessings of Lord Ram and that, after 43 years of service to the nation in the Air Force, he had been given an opportunity to serve Shri Ram Mandir and devotees of Lord Ram.
VHP chief Alok Kumar, also reacting in Delhi, said the Ram Mandir Trust would now function more effectively following the appointment of Mishra as its first CEO and Govind Dev Giri as the new general secretary.
