AYODHYA – The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is set to appoint Jagdish Aphale, an IIT Bombay-educated engineer and the current project manager for the Ram Temple, as its new secretary. This move is part of a significant administrative overhaul initiated after serious allegations of donation embezzlement surfaced.
The proposal for Aphale's appointment is expected to be formally approved at the trust's executive meeting scheduled for September 2. He will assume responsibility for the daily administration of the temple, reporting directly to interim general secretary Krishna Mohan. Sources indicate that Aphale will serve as an office bearer but will not be inducted as a member of the trust itself.
Administrative Reforms Follow Embezzlement Allegations
The creation of the secretary position and other restructuring efforts come in the wake of a controversy involving the alleged misappropriation of cash donations. A special investigation team (SIT) was formed in June to probe the claims, leading to a preliminary report, an FIR, and the arrest of eight individuals. In the immediate aftermath, general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra stepped down from their roles.
As part of these reforms, the trust had previously announced the removal of 36 staff members and the complete transfer of donation counting responsibilities to State Bank of India (SBI) employees to ensure greater transparency and accountability.
Aphale's Background and Role
Jagdish Aphale, a resident of Pune, holds B.Tech and M.Tech degrees in Electrical Engineering from IIT Bombay. He has a distinguished career, including working with several multinational corporations both in India and abroad, particularly in Europe and the United States. Following his retirement, Aphale returned to India and became deeply involved with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
After the Supreme Court's landmark verdict on the Ram Temple and the commencement of its construction, Aphale was deputed as an honorary project manager. He has since been residing at the Teerth Kshetra Bhavan in Ayodhya, playing a crucial role in the temple's development.
Ongoing Changes and Future Leadership
Beyond the secretary's role, the trust is also in the process of appointing its first chief executive officer (CEO). The selection for this position, which received over 5,200 applications, was deferred by a month during a July 22 meeting, as the screening committee required additional time to vet the three shortlisted candidates. The CEO, once appointed, will also function as an office bearer rather than a trust member.
Additionally, the trust is actively working to appoint an official spokesperson, with multiple names currently under consideration to enhance communication and public engagement regarding the temple's operations and ongoing developments.