Ayodhya, June 27: The Faizabad Bar Association on Monday resolved that none of its members would represent the eight accused arrested in the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The association also decided that any lawyer violating the resolution would be required to deposit ₹5 lakh per accused with the Bar Association.
The decision was taken unanimously at the association’s general body meeting, with lawyers stating that the alleged misappropriation of temple donations had deeply hurt their sentiments.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Bar Association President Kalika Prasad Mishra said no advocate affiliated with the association would appear on behalf of the arrested accused.
“If any lawyer still wishes to represent the accused, he or she will first have to submit an application and deposit ₹5 lakh per accused with the Bar Association as a contribution. The amount will be utilised by the association to pursue the prosecution of the case,” Mishra said.
The Bar Association also resolved to seek a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged embezzlement. Mishra said the association would first write to the CBI and subsequently approach the Allahabad High Court seeking directions for a CBI investigation. If necessary, it would move the Supreme Court.
The lawyers further announced plans to seek registration of an FIR against Champat Rai, Gopal Rao and Anil Mishra under Section 156(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which empowers a magistrate to direct police to investigate a cognizable offence if no action has been taken on a complaint.
“We will first approach the police for registration of the case, and if no action is taken, we will seek legal remedy through the courts,” Mishra said.
Bar Association Secretary Shailendra Jaiswal said the legal fraternity in Faizabad had collectively decided not to defend the accused in view of the allegations involving temple offerings.
“The sentiments of all of us have been hurt by the alleged theft of temple offerings. The lawyers of Faizabad have agreed not to plead on behalf of the arrested accused,” he said.
The eight accused—Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lav Kush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ram Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava and Ramashankar alias Tinnu Yadav—were associated with the counting of cash and valuables received as donations at the Ram Temple. They were arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement and have been remanded to judicial custody until June 29.
Police teams on Sunday conducted simultaneous searches at the residences of all eight accused as part of the ongoing investigation.
Although Champat Rai and Anil Mishra were not named as accused in the FIR, the Bar Association demanded that they, along with Gopal Rao, leave Ayodhya within three days. The lawyers warned that if the demand was not met, they would launch a blockade of the city.
PTI repeatedly attempted to contact trustees Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, but they were unavailable for comment. However, Ravi Mishra, son of Anil Mishra, defended his father, stating that he had worked tirelessly in the service of the temple and denied any wrongdoing.
“My father was given responsibility for the temple, and he worked there day and night,” Ravi Mishra said, adding that temple-related matters were never discussed at home.
Meanwhile, media access outside the main entrance of the Ram Temple was restricted on Monday morning. Police personnel deployed at the temple complex informed journalists that media coverage had been prohibited at the location under official instructions.
The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of temple donations is continuing.
