# Ayodhya temple trust shortlists 18 CEO candidates after donation scam

2026-08-10T08:58:40+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust has shortlisted 18 candidates from over 5,300 applicants for the post of CEO of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Interviews will be held at the temple on Tuesday and Wednesday before a panel comprising former Justice Pramod Kohli, Lt Gen (retd) Vishnukant Chaturvedi and scientist Suresh Haware. Candidates with administrative experience are preferred. The selected CEO must be a practising Hindu, pure vegetarian and teetotaller, aged 50-70. The appointment follows a donation embezzlement scandal that emerged in June 2026. A UP government SIT registered an FIR and arrested eight accused, recovering Rs 20.39 lakh in cash plus gold, silver and foreign currency.

## Coverage

- rediff.com <https://www.rediff.com/news/report/5300-apply-for-ram-temple-trust-ceo-post-18-shortlisted/20260810.htm>
- indiatoday.in <https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ram-temple-ceo-interviews-18-shortlisted-from-5300-applications-after-donation-probe-ptag-2967503-2026-08-10?utm_source=rss>
- indiatvnews.com <https://www.indiatvnews.com/uttar-pradesh/ram-temple-ceo-post-18-shortlisted-from-over-5300-applicants-interviews-to-begin-on-august-11-2026-08-10-1050934>

Tags: Ayodhya, CEO selection, donation embezzlement, Ram temple, SIT probe
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