Ayodhya: Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Krishna Mohan has been appointed as the interim General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, following the resignation of veteran RSS leader Champat Rai. The appointment comes at a crucial time when the Trust is facing scrutiny over an alleged donation theft case and has initiated a comprehensive administrative review to strengthen transparency and public confidence.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Trust after it accepted the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra. Along with assigning Krishna Mohan the responsibility of General Secretary, the Trust also announced a series of administrative reforms aimed at improving governance and restoring the confidence of devotees.
Trust Treasurer Govindanand Giri announced the decisions after the meeting and outlined the Trust’s roadmap for administrative restructuring.
Krishna Mohan Entrusted with Day-to-Day Administration
As the interim General Secretary, Mr Mohan will oversee the day-to-day functioning and administration of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the body responsible for managing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, UP.
Speaking after assuming charge, Mr Mohan said his foremost priority would be ensuring accountability and taking strict action against anyone found guilty.
“I have been entrusted with the responsibility of interim General Secretary. My priority will be to ensure that anyone found guilty is punished,” he said.
He acknowledged that certain shortcomings in the Trust’s management and operational systems had been exploited by some individuals.
“We are all deeply pained by the recent developments. Devotees of Lord Ram have also been hurt. There were certain shortcomings in management and operations that were exploited. My endeavour will be to plug these loopholes and ensure that such incidents do not recur.”
Focus on Transparency and Rebuilding Public Trust
Mr Mohan admitted that the recent controversy had adversely affected the Trust’s public image and created an atmosphere of mistrust among devotees.
He assured that the Trust would adopt complete transparency in its functioning.
“We will make public the complete details of all donations received at Ram Janmabhoomi. Every possible step will be taken to remove any doubts from society and rebuild people’s trust in the institution,” he said.
According to him, restoring credibility and strengthening administrative mechanisms will remain the Trust’s immediate priorities.
Why Did Champat Rai Resign?
The leadership change follows the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft case, which surfaced in June 2026.
The controversy pertains to alleged irregularities in the handling and counting of offerings collected from the temple’s donation boxes.
Following the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter.
Within ten days of its formation, the SIT submitted its preliminary report to the state government on June 23, 2026.
Subsequently, an FIR was registered on June 25, following which eight persons were arrested.
According to investigators, the accused were members of the team responsible for counting offerings collected from nearly 40 donation boxes after they had been shifted to the Pilgrim Facilitation Centre.
Following the developments and growing public scrutiny, Champat Rai resigned as General Secretary on July 6, 2026, while trustee Anil Mishra also stepped down. Both resignations have now been accepted by the Trust.
Who is Krishna Mohan?
Krishna Mohan is a retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of the 1978 batch (Maharashtra cadre) and a senior functionary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Widely regarded for his administrative experience and organizational abilities, he was inducted into the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust last year and has now been entrusted with one of its most significant responsibilities.
Personal Background
- Native of Chandrapur village, Shahabad constituency, Hardoi district, Uttar Pradesh.
- 73 years old (as of 2026).
- Holds an M.Sc. in Geology from Lucknow University (1970).
Before joining civil services, he spent nearly five to six years conducting research related to atomic energy.
Distinguished Career in Indian Forest Service
Mr Mohan joined the Indian Forest Service in 1978 after clearing the Civil Services Examination.
He was allotted the Maharashtra cadre, where he served in several important forestry, environmental and administrative assignments over a career spanning more than three decades.
He retired from government service in 2012 and subsequently returned to his native district in Uttar Pradesh, where he became actively involved in social and community work.
Long Association with RSS
Apart from his bureaucratic career, Mr Mohan has remained closely associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Over the years, he has held several key organisational responsibilities, including:
- Nagar Sangh Chalak (2014)
- Zila Sangh Chalak (2017)
- Prant Sangh Chalak (2020)
- Kshetra Sanghchalak (Regional Head) for Eastern Uttar Pradesh since 2023
His long organisational experience is believed to have contributed to the Trust’s decision to entrust him with the administrative responsibility.
Entry into Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust
In September 2025, Mr Mohan was unanimously inducted as a permanent trustee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
He replaced Kameshwar Chaupal, thereby maintaining representation of the Scheduled Caste community within the Trust.
Following the resignation of Champat Rai, the Trust has now selected IFS Mohan as its interim General Secretary, considering his administrative background, clean service record and organisational experience.
Administrative Reforms on the Agenda
The Trust has indicated that IFS Mohan’s appointment marks the beginning of a broader administrative overhaul.
Among the key initiatives expected under his leadership are:
- Strengthening internal administrative mechanisms.
- Eliminating procedural loopholes.
- Ensuring complete transparency in donation management.
- Making donation-related information publicly accessible.
- Restoring devotees’ confidence through improved governance and accountability.
The Trust believes these measures will help reinforce its institutional credibility while ensuring smoother management of one of India’s most revered religious institutions.
A Crucial Transition for the Ram Mandir Trust
Mr Mohan assumes charge at a time when the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is facing one of its biggest governance challenges since the consecration of the Ram Temple.
With the SIT investigation continuing and administrative reforms underway, his experience as a senior civil servant and organisational leader is expected to play a key role in improving the Trust’s functioning and restoring public faith.
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