In a significant development following the alleged misappropriation of devotees’ offerings, the Faizabad Bar Association passed a unanimous resolution on Monday declaring that none of its members will provide legal representation to the eight individuals arrested in the Ram temple donation embezzlement case.
During a general body meeting held amid widespread public outrage, the lawyers’ body also issued a strict three-day ultimatum to Ram temple functionaries Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao to leave the city. According to PTI, the association warned of orchestrating a city-wide blockade to prevent entry into Ayodhya if the temple management officials fail to comply.
Although Rai, Mishra, and Rao are closely associated with the management of the Ram temple, they are not named as accused in the current FIR. Despite this, the lawyers’ association has decided to seek the registration of an FIR against the three functionaries under Section 156(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Bar Association president Kalika Prasad Mishra stated that the lawyers will initially approach the police and will move the courts if no action is taken.
The Bar has also resolved to demand a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged theft by petitioning the Allahabad High Court, and the Supreme Court if necessary.
To enforce their boycott, the association has implemented stringent financial conditions for any lawyer choosing to break rank. “If any lawyer still wishes to represent the accused, he or she will first have to submit an application and deposit Rs 5 lakh per accused with the Bar Association. The amount will be used to pursue the prosecution of the case,” president Kalika Prasad Mishra said, as quoted by PTI.
Bar Association secretary Shailendra Jaiswal emphasized that the unanimous decision stems from the legal fraternity’s deeply hurt sentiments regarding the alleged theft of the temple’s donations.
The eight arrested suspectsAvinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lav Kush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ram Shankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ramashankar alias Tinnu Yadav—were previously responsible for counting the cash and valuables donated at the Ram temple. They have been remanded to judicial custody until June 29. As part of the ongoing investigation, police conducted comprehensive searches at the residences of all eight accused on Sunday.
Despite repeated attempts by PTI to reach them, Champat Rai and Anil Mishra were unavailable for comment. However, Ravi Mishra, the son of Anil Mishra, defended his father, asserting that he has worked tirelessly for the temple and has done nothing wrong.
In a related development, police barred media coverage outside the main entrance of the Ram temple on Monday morning, citing official orders.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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