Ram Temple Donation Scam Sparks Shocking Legal Boycott in Ayodhya

AYODHYA: The controversy surrounding the alleged embezzlement of funds meant for the Ram temple has escalated sharply. In a major development on Monday, the Faizabad Bar Association announced a complete boycott of the case, declaring that none of its legal professionals will represent the eight individuals arrested in connection with the financial scandal.

The lawyers’ body passed a strict resolution warning that any member violating this collective decision would be slapped with a ₹5 lakh penalty. The association also issued a stark ultimatum to key figures managing the temple trust-Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao-demanding they leave the city within three days. Failure to comply, the Bar warned, would result in a total blockade of Ayodhya. While these three administrators are not named in the initial police complaint, local lawyers are demanding their immediate ouster and plan to seek an FIR against them through judicial intervention.

Legal Stalemate and Supreme Court’s Stance

The ongoing judicial proceedings saw the eight accused produced before Special Anti-Corruption Judge Rajat Verma via video conferencing. Following a request from the prosecution, they were remanded to judicial custody for an additional two weeks.

Meanwhile, the legal battle has reached the highest court in the country. Advocates Ajay Kumar Rai and Dinesh Kumar Yadav petitioned the Supreme Court, seeking a time-bound investigation led by a multi-disciplinary Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team to probe the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s administrative and financial affairs. The plea emphasized that the alleged fraud directly impacts the faith and sentiments of millions of donors. However, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and Sheel Nagu declined an urgent hearing, scheduling the matter for after the summer recess when the court reopens on July 13. “Heavens are not going to fall… What is the urgency,” the bench remarked during the hearing.

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Political Firestorm Consumes Ruling and Opposition Parties

The alleged fund misappropriation has triggered an intense political showdown in Uttar Pradesh. Seizing the opportunity, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav appealed to “true Sanatanis” to reject the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in upcoming elections, accusing the ruling party of betraying religious sentiments. Echoing this sentiment, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal accused the dispensation of looting public funds without sparing religious institutions.

The Congress party also ramped up pressure, announcing that a high-level delegation led by state chief Ajay Rai would visit Ayodhya. Congress leaders claimed that the State Bank of India had flagrantly flagged discrepancies three months ago, recommending the removal of officials at the temple’s donation counting center. They questioned who within the administration was shielding these individuals before the scam came to light.

Defending its ground, the BJP interpreted the Bar Association’s boycott as a powerful message of social rejection from Hindu society against financial corruption. The party reiterated Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s commitment to ensuring exemplary punishment for the guilty through the established rule of law. Concurrently, UP Minister Dayashankar Singh dismissed the opposition’s criticisms, stating that those questioning the administrators have no history of contributing to the temple’s construction.

Families Defend Trust Officials as Probe Continues

Amid the mounting pressure, the family of Champat Rai-who recently stepped down from his position as General Secretary of the temple trust-has come forward in his defense. His brother, Sunil Bansal, labeled the allegations as entirely politically motivated, maintaining that Rai had dedicated his life to national service and the temple movement.

The state government had already formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13 to investigate the financial irregularities following an initial request from the trust itself. Moving forward, the Faizabad Bar Association maintains it will approach the Allahabad High Court to secure a CBI-led inquiry and will approach the local magistrate to force an official investigation into the senior trust management if local police fail to act.

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