Ram Mandir donation controversy: Bar association warns lawyers defending accused ₹500,000 fine

The Uttar Pradesh police on Monday questioned the former general secretary of the Ram Temple Trust, Champat Rai, in connection with the alleged embezzlement and theft of temple donations, according to multiple reports. The Faizabad Bar Association in Ayodhya on Monday announced that none of its members would appear because of the eight people arrested in connection with the alleged Ram temple donation scam.

It passed a resolution that any member who violates its decision to boycott the accused will be fined ₹5 lakh, reported PTI.

The association also said it would seek a CBI probe into the case.

He also demanded that Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao, who are associated with the temple management but are not named in the FIR, “leave” Ayodhya within three days, warning that otherwise the city will be locked down and no one will be allowed to enter.

What did the chairman of the association say?

Calling for legal action against the three individuals, the association’s president Kalika Prasad Mishra said the body would approach the high court and, if necessary, the Supreme Court to ask the CBI to investigate.

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He said the association would also seek registration of an FIR against Champat Rai, Gopal Rao and Anil Mishra under Section 156(3) of the BNSS, which allows a magistrate to direct the police to investigate a cognizable offense if no action has been taken on a complaint.

“We will first approach the police to register the case and if no action is taken, we will seek redress through the courts,” said Prasad.

Brother Champat Rai reacts

Meanwhile, brother Champat Rai came to his defense after he resigned as general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

While talking to PTI, Sunil Bansal, who lives in Nagina in Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh, dismissed the allegations against his brother as politically motivated. He said Champat Rai gave “everything” to the RSS, the Ram temple movement and serving the nation.

The association recalled that it took a similar position in 2005 after the terrorist attack on the then makeshift Ram temple, when its members refused to defend the accused. In that case they were eventually represented by a lawyer from Lucknow.

Read also | Who is Anukalp Mishra? Accused of stealing Ram Mandir donation faces search

The eight accused, who were arrested last Thursday, were produced before Special Judge (Anti-Corruption Court) Rajat Verma through video conferencing. According to Special Public Prosecutor Umesh Dubey, they were remanded in judicial custody for the next two weeks after the police decided not to seek their arrest.

The accused were responsible for counting the cash and valuables received as donations at the Ram temple.

BJP assures punishment of those found guilty

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had made it clear that those found guilty would face exemplary punishment and that the case would be dealt with expeditiously in accordance with the rule of law.

Amid escalating exchanges between the BJP and opposition parties, the Congress announced that a high-level delegation led by Uttar Pradesh state president Ajay Rai would visit Ayodhya on Tuesday.

What did the opposition say?

The opposition party also alleged that the State Bank of India had recommended three months ago to replace the officials posted at the donation counting center at the Ram temple. It asked who was “protecting” them before the alleged embezzlement of temple funds was revealed.

Read also | Sanjay Raut claims ₹2,000 crore Ram Mandir funds were used to split TMC, Sena (UBT)

Addressing reporters in Raipur, Congress leader and AICC Media and Publicity Chairman Pawan Khera claimed that the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple was just the beginning and hinted that more such cases could emerge.

Responding to criticism from the opposition, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Dayashankar Singh accused its leaders of lacking faith in Lord Ram, saying they “don’t believe in Lord Ram, have never visited the temple in Ayodhya, participated in its construction and yet question people who have given up family life to serve the nation”.