The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has named IIT Bombay alumnus Jagdish Aphale as secretary to oversee the Ram Temple’s day-to-day administration. Hindustan Times reported that the appointment will be formally ratified at the trust’s executive meeting on September 2, 2026. (hindustantimes.com)

The move comes as the trust restructures its administration after allegations of donation embezzlement at the Ayodhya shrine. The trust had earlier sought a probe, after which an SIT submitted a preliminary report, police registered an FIR, and eight accused were arrested, according to Hindustan Times. (hindustantimes.com)

The appointment matters because the Ram Temple receives large public donations from devotees. A trust that manages such money must show that its internal controls are strong enough to protect public faith and withstand scrutiny.

Who Is Jagdish Aphale?

Jagdish Aphale is a Pune resident and IIT Bombay alumnus. Hindustan Times reported that he holds a BTech in Electrical Engineering and an MTech from IIT Bombay. He has worked with multinational companies, including assignments in Europe and the United States, before returning to India after retirement. (hindustantimes.com)

He is also associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. After the Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya dispute and the start of temple construction, he was deputed as an honorary project manager. Since then, he has been living at the Teerth Kshetra Bhavan in Ayodhya, according to the same report. (hindustantimes.com)

That background explains why the trust chose an insider rather than an outside administrator. Aphale has already been connected to the construction side of the project and is familiar with the temple’s internal systems.

Why The Secretary Post Was Created

The secretary post has been created as part of a wider administrative restructuring. Hindustan Times reported that Aphale will report to interim general secretary Krishna Mohan, but will not be a member of the trust. The trust is also in the process of selecting a chief executive officer and an official spokesperson. (hindustantimes.com)

This is a practical governance move. The trust’s operations have expanded since the temple opened to devotees, and the donation row has made financial supervision even more important.

The Donation Row Behind The Reshuffle

The restructuring follows the exit of former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra. The Indian Express reported in June that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had confirmed receiving resignation letters from both leaders as police widened the probe into alleged theft and embezzlement of funds and valuables donated to the temple. (indianexpress.com)

The Indian Express also reported that police had recovered ₹79.80 lakh from seven of the eight accused at that stage. The trust said it was committed to a fair investigation and strong legal punishment for those found guilty. (indianexpress.com)

The New Indian Express later reported that the SIT found prima facie evidence of nearly 70 instances of theft over 40 days, while also saying there was no prima facie evidence to support social-media claims that silver bricks or other high-value offerings were missing. (newindianexpress.com)

That distinction matters. The probe points to alleged cash pilferage and serious supervision failures, but not every viral claim about missing valuables has been supported.

What Changes In Banking Oversight

Times of India reported that Aphale has been made a joint signatory for financial transactions. Interim general secretary Krishna Mohan told TOI: “For banking purposes, the joint signatories are me and Aphale. The board of trustees has approved it.” (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

That means banking transactions now require two authorised signatories rather than moving on one person’s authority. TOI also reported that three public sector banks had been reluctant to accept Aphale as co-signatory without changes in the trust’s constitution because the trust deed requires accounts to be operated by two individuals designated by the board. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

For a temple trust handling public donations, this is not a small procedural change. It creates a basic internal check on money movement.

Why The Trust’s Credibility Matters

The Ram Temple was built after the Supreme Court’s 2019 Ayodhya judgment. In February 2020, the government announced the creation of the Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Tirtha Kshetra trust to oversee the construction of the temple in Ayodhya, as ordered by the Supreme Court. (pib.gov.in)

That history makes the trust more than a routine religious body. It manages a project tied to faith, politics, court history and national attention.

When donation-handling allegations surface around such an institution, the damage is not only financial. It affects public confidence. That is why the trust’s new appointments, banking rules and September 2 meeting will be watched closely.

What To Watch Next

The first date to watch is September 2, when Aphale’s appointment is expected to be formally ratified. The second issue is whether the trust completes the appointment of a CEO and spokesperson. The third is whether the SIT probe leads to clearer accountability in the donation case.

For now, the trust’s message is simple: stronger administration, more oversight and two signatures on financial transactions.

Whether that is enough to restore confidence will depend on what the investigation finds and how transparent the trust is in the weeks ahead.