The case relates to alleged embezzlement of cash and valuables offered by devotees at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. Eight people were arrested after an FIR was registered on June 25 based on a preliminary SIT report.
The Ram Mandir donation theft case was heard in the Supreme Court on Monday, with the SIT submitting its status report. The team said it had identified all the accused after examining CCTV footage and other evidence, and that the investigation was largely complete.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had quoted an X post that shared a false video of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's first CEO retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra. He issued a clarification later after finding out that the video was false, though he did not delete his previous post.
The new Ram Mandir Trust team, led by Air Marshal (retd) Jeetendra Mishra as CEO, brings experience, continuity and financial expertise. The leadership faces the key challenge of restoring public confidence after controversies dented the temple's image.
Ram Temple Trust CEO Jeetendra Mishra said he would like to thank the selection committee, Sri Ram Mandir Trust and Lord Ram for having chosen him for this responsibility.
“There is a challenge before Trust because devotion ranks higher than credibility. BJP dealt a massive blow to devotion. So, it will be a huge responsibility for whoever is appointed," Akhilesh Yadav said.
Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) is a retired air officer of the Indian Air Force. He served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command.
Air Marshal (retired) Jeetendra Mishra, who headed the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, was selected from a shortlist of three candidates after the Ram Temple Trust's selection committee scrutinised 5,585 applications.
The three new appointments of trustees to the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra comes following a key adminstrative meeting which will also decide the CEO of the shrine in Ayodhya.
More than 5,500 people applied for the post, with 16 candidates ultimately appearing for interviews. Former IPS officers Rajesh Pandey and Paresh Saxena, along with former IAS officers Dinesh Chandra and Yogeshwar Ram Mishra, are among possible contenders.
The name of the first CEO of Ram Mandir can be officially announced in the Ram Mandir Trust meeting to be held on Wednesday. According to the information revealed, three names have been shortlisted by the Ram Mandir Selection Committee.
Based on the SIT's preliminary report, a case was registered against the accused under sections 305, 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61, 3(5) of the IPC, and 13(1)(a) of the PC Act. The report was submitted by three-member SIT headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant on June 23.
