Ayodhaya Lawyers Seek FIR Against Champat Rai In Ram Temple Donation Case, Warn Of Citywide Protest
Ayodhya: The legal battle surrounding the alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement case has inttensified, with the Ayodhya Bar Association announcing plans to seek the registration of an FIR against senior temple trust functionaries, including Champat Rai. The lawyers have also warned of large scale protests and a blockade of Ayodhaya if their demands are ignored.
The Bar Association on Monday resolved to approach the police first, seeking an FIR against Champat Rai, along with Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao, alleging that a through investigation should not be limited to the eight individuals already arrested in connection with the alleged misappropriation of temple donations. If the police decline to register the complaint, the lawyers said they would move the court under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), requesting judicial intervention.
Association president Kalika Prasad Mishra said the body would also demand a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case and, if necessary, approach both the Allahabad High Court and the Supreme Court. The lawyers alleged that the investigation should examine the role of all those responsible for overseeing the temple’s donation management rather than focusing only on lower level staff. These allegations remain unproven, and no court has determined the involvement of the individuals named by the association.
In a strong warning, the association stated that if no action is taken against the senior functionaries within three days, it would launch protests and block entry into Ayodhya. Separately, the Bar Association has also resolved that none of its members will represent the eight arrested accused in court, warning that any lawyer violating the decision could face a monetary penalty imposed by the association.
The controversy stems from an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations offered at the Ram Temple. Following a preliminary report by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), an FIR was registered against eight individuals associated with the temple’s donation counting process, including officials responsible for handling cash offerings. The accused were arrested and later remanded to judicial custody as the investigation continued.
The Uttar Pradesh government has since extended the tenure of the SIT by 15 days to allow investigators to complete their probe. Police have also questioned Champat Rai as part of the ongoing investigation, although officials have not disclosed details of his statement, describing the proceedings as confidential. Authorities have not announced any charges against Rai in connection with the case.
The case has triggered widespread political and religious reactions. Opposition parties, including the Congress and the AIMIM, have questioned the handling of the investigation and demanded accountability, while religious leaders have also called for greater transparency in the probe. At the same time, the BJP has maintained that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to ensure that anyone found guilty is punished strictly in accordance with the law, regardless of their position.
Meanwhile, Champat Rai’s family has rejected the allegations against him. His brother has described the accusations as politically motivated, asserting that Rai has dedicated decades to public and religious service. No court has found Rai guilty of any wrongdoing, and the investigation remains ongoing.
With the SIT continuing its investigation, legal proceedings gathering momentum and fresh demands for action against senior temple officials, the Ram Temple donation case has emerged as one of the most closely watched investigations in Uttar Pradesh. The coming days are expected to determine whether the police register a fresh complaint, whether the matter reaches the courts, and whether the Bar Association follows through on its protest call.