Jagdish Aphale, an IIT Bombay alumnus with an engineering background and long-standing association with the RSS, is appointed the first secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra (Ayodhya Ram temple) trust. Multiple reports describe the role as part of the trust’s efforts to strengthen day-to-day administration, with Aphale also expected to handle financial processes. The Times of India reports that he will serve as a joint signatory for financial transactions, which is intended to add accountability. It also notes that the appointment comes after recent resignations and amid discussion of alleged irregularities involving donations linked to the temple. Other coverage says the secretary post is newly created following a donation-related controversy and is intended to support internal management. Free Press Journal adds that the appointment follows trust approval and is scheduled for ratification at an upcoming executive committee meeting. Earlier reporting cited in that source describes Aphale’s involvement in the temple’s construction as part of a core engineering team. The developments come as the Supreme Court has monitored a separate investigation-related process involving allegations of embezzlement of donations, with forensic oversight discussed for the probe.