15 September,2026 08:50 AM IST | Ayodhya | mid-day online correspondent
Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. File Pic
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, which oversees the management of the Ram Mandir complex in Ayodhya, on Monday issued a statement clarifying the process followed for selecting its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), after questions were raised in some media reports about the appointment.
The Trust said claims that Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra (Retd) did not participate in the interview rounds were factually incorrect. It said his inclusion among the three candidates recommended by the Search Committee was evidence that he had participated in the selection process and had been evaluated along with the other shortlisted candidates.
"Claims suggesting that Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra (Retd) did not participate in the interview rounds are factually incorrect," the statement issued in the name of Trust General Secretary Swami Govinddev Giri said.
The statement said Mishra's inclusion among the top three recommended candidates constituted documentary proof of his participation, evaluation and merit-based selection.
Air Marshal Mishra was subsequently appointed as the first CEO of the Trust after emerging as the top choice of the Search Committee constituted to select the head of the organisation's administrative operations.
According to the Trust, the Search Committee was constituted on July 6 and oversaw what it described as "a transparent, technology-enabled selection process".
The committee used artificial intelligence-assisted screening along with manual evaluation to assess the 5,585 applications it received. The process involved multiple stages of evaluation conducted across three locations - Delhi NCR, Pune and Sambalpur.
Following the initial screening and evaluation, the committee shortlisted 16 candidates for the next stage of the selection process.
The Trust said the selection process was structured to assess the candidates through multiple rounds rather than relying on a single interaction or assessment.
The 16 shortlisted candidates subsequently participated in face-to-face interactions in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12.
The Trust specifically clarified that Air Marshal Mishra participated in the interaction process during the first half of August 11.
The clarification was issued after questions were raised over whether Mishra had participated in the interview process before being recommended for the CEO's position.
The Search Committee later submitted its final report to the Trust, recommending three candidates for consideration. The recommended names were Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra, Sanjay Pratapsinh Vishwas Rao and Shruti Bharadwaj.
The Trust said the three names were formally announced during media interactions after the completion of the evaluation process.
"The Search Committee submitted its final report, recommending Air Marshal Mishra, Sanjay Pratapsinh Vishwas Rao, and Shruti Bharadwaj," the statement said.
It added that the formal announcement of the names confirmed that the evaluation process had been completed and that the selection of the CEO had been finalised.
The Trust also stressed that the entire exercise was conducted in accordance "with the highest standards of institutional governance and transparency".
According to the statement, each stage of the selection process was documented, while the identities of all finalists were recorded during their interactions in Ayodhya.
The Trust said the records maintained during the recruitment process could be used to establish the participation and evaluation of candidates at different stages.
It reiterated that Air Marshal Mishra's presence among the final three recommended candidates was consistent with the documented selection process and rejected suggestions that he had been selected without participating in the interview rounds.
The Trust said it would continue to respond to questions concerning the appointment with factual information.
It further pledged to remain "committed to transparency and will continue to provide factual information to address any further inquiries regarding the selection process".
(With inputs from IANS)
