The Faizabad Bar Association has resolved not to represent individuals accused in the alleged embezzlement of donations linked to the Ram Mandir and warned that any member who appears for the accused will face a penalty of ₹5 lakh.
The decision was taken during a general body meeting held on Monday amid the ongoing probe into alleged irregularities involving donations made to the Ayodhya temple.
According to office-bearers of the Bar Association, the decision was unanimous and reflected the sentiments of the legal fraternity in Faizabad over the allegations surrounding temple funds.
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Lawyers seek action against former trust functionaries
During the meeting, lawyers also demanded that former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust office-bearers, including Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao, leave Ayodhya within three days. They warned of protests and a blockade of the city if their demand was not met.
Speaking on behalf of the association, secretary Shailendra Jaiswal said the alleged theft of temple offerings had deeply hurt public sentiment.
"The theft of temple offerings has deeply hurt our sentiments. All lawyers in Faizabad have agreed not to defend the arrested accused," Jaiswal said. A video of Bar Association president Kalika Prasad Mishra announcing the decision went viral on social media. In the video, Mishra can be heard saying that no lawyer would represent the accused and that any member violating the decision would face a ₹5 lakh fine.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Mishra alleged that "such a massive incident could not have occurred without the knowledge" of certain individuals linked to the trust.
Bar body plans legal action and seeks CBI probe
It is pertinent to note that the Bar Association has also resolved to transfer the court under Section 156(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for the purpose of lodging the FIR against Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao.
#WATCH | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh | alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case | Kalika Prasad Mishra, President, Ayodhya Bar Association says, "No lawyer will represent the accused in the case and if anyone does, a fine of Rs 5 lakh will be imposed on them" https://t.co/6qBJejQvzj pic.twitter.com/uqZqaLDnKu
— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2026
Moreover, the lawyers' organisation has asked for the probe into the irregularities by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
This is happening amidst the SIT monitored probe in connection with the theft and irregularities concerning the donations made at the Ram Temple. As per the reports available in the media, eight persons have been arrested, while the statement of Champat Rai has been taken in connection with the resignations made by him from the trust of the Ram temple.
Opposition allegations intensify political row
The controversy escalated earlier this month after opposition leaders alleged large-scale irregularities in donations made to the temple. Some leaders of the opposition stated that the money, gold, silver, and other valuable items offered by the devotees were either looted or misused.
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Arvind Kejriwal, who is the former chief minister of Delhi, stated that the valuables including precious stones, cash, and precious metals were lost from the temple. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust has denied the accusations and stated that all donations are safe and accounted for. In a recent press release, it stated that it is shocked and hurt due to what happened in the last few days.
Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a petition which sought urgent hearing of the case of embezzlement of funds at the Ram temple and declared that the case would be heard after the summer vacation of the court.
FAQs
Q1. What decision has been taken by the Faizabad Bar Association?
The association has decided that its members will not be representing the accused in the case of embezzlement of Ram temple donation and has imposed a penalty of ₹5 lakh on its members.
Q2. What is the Ram temple donation controversy about?
The controversy revolves around allegations of theft and financial irregularities involving donations made to the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The temple trust has denied all allegations.
