---
title: "IIT Bombay Alumnus Jagdish Aphale Named Secretary of Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/iit-bombay-alumnus-jagdish-aphale-named-secretary-of-ayodhya-ram-temple-trust-u44tm
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: India
published: 2026-07-30T06:22:32.000Z
modified: 2026-07-31T10:01:50.755Z
language: en-IN
---

# IIT Bombay Alumnus Jagdish Aphale Named Secretary of Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has selected former project manager Jagdish Aphale to lead administrative operations. This leadership shift follows recent internal resignations and allegations concerning the management of temple donations.

## Leadership Transition Amid Administrative Overhaul

In a significant administrative move, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has named Jagdish Aphale as its new secretary. A veteran engineer with deep ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Aphale will manage the daily operations of the Ayodhya Ram Temple. His official confirmation is scheduled for the trust’s executive assembly on September 2, 2026.

Aphale, a Pune resident, brings a technical background to the role, holding a BTech in Electrical Engineering and an MTech from IIT Bombay. His professional career includes tenures at several multinational corporations across Europe and the United States. Following the 2019 Supreme Court verdict and the subsequent start of site construction, Aphale transitioned from the private sector to serve as the honorary project manager, relocating to the Teerth Kshetra Bhavan in Ayodhya.

## Institutional Response to Donation Scandal

The appointment coincides with a period of intense scrutiny for the trust. Since early June 2026, the organization has faced public pressure regarding the alleged embezzlement of temple donations. The investigation into these financial irregularities has led to several developments:
- Eight individuals are currently in custody following arrests linked to the missing funds.
- General Secretary Champat Rai and board member Anil Mishra stepped down last month amid the controversy.
- The trust recently opened applications for a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to formalize temple governance and management.

By elevating an IIT-educated professional who has been involved with the project since the post-litigation phase, the trust appears to be prioritizing technical expertise and continuity as it seeks to stabilize its administrative framework.

Source: The Hindu — National

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/iit-bombay-alumnus-jagdish-aphale-named-secretary-of-ayodhya-ram-temple-trust-u44tm
Reported from: The Hindu — National