Ayodhya lawyers to boycott accused in Ram Temple donation row

The Faizabad Bar Association in Ayodhya on Monday announced that none of its members would represent the eight accused in the alleged Ram temple donation embezzlement case. The Supreme Court stated it will hear, after the summer break, a plea seeking a time-bound probe by a CBI-led multi-disciplinary team.

The lawyers’ body passed a resolution stating that any member who represents the accused would face a `5 lakh penalty. The association also demanded that Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao, all of whom are associated with the temple management but not named in the FIR, leave Ayodhya. It warned that if the trio did not leave, “The association warned that if the three individuals did not leave within three days, it would blockade Ayodhya and restrict entry. Association president Kalika Prasad stated that the body will also approach the high court to seek a CBI probe. 
In 2005, after a terrorist attack at the then-makeshift Ram temple, lawyers decided not to defend the accused. A lawyer from Lucknow later represented the accused. The eight accused, arrested last Thursday, were produced before Special Judge (Anti-Corruption Court) Rajat Verma via video conferencing. They were remanded in judicial custody for an additional two weeks after police did not seek their custody, according to Special Prosecution Officer Umesh. 

In a related development, Justices MM Sundresh and Sheel Nagu of the Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on the plea alleging misconduct, stating that the matter will be listed after the summer break. The court is scheduled to reopen on July 13.

“Heavens are not going to fall… What is the urgency?” the bench observed orally. The petition, filed by advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav, said a CBI-led multi-disciplinary special investigation team (SIT) should investigate the alleged financial irregularities and other purported illegalities concerning the affairs and administration of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

The plea also sought directions to the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh Government and the temple trust to constitute and operationalise regulatory, supervisory and audit mechanisms necessary to safeguard public interest and maintain the confidence of devotees and donors. The petition stated that the issues involved may constitute cognisable offences and directly impact the faith and confidence of devotees and the public. Faizabad Bar Association president Kalika Prasad stated that the association would approach the Allahabad High Court 
to seek a CBI investigation and, if necessary, move the Supreme Court. 

“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.
Speaking on the issues, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made it clear that exemplary punishment will be meted out to the guilty and speedy justice will be ensured. SIT is continuing the probe, and more arrests could be made once the final report is submitted.