Ram Temple Donation Case: Ayodhya Bar Set to Boycott Defence of Accused

The alleged embezzlement of donations from the Ram Temple has triggered widespread anger in Ayodhya, with members of the Faizabad Bar Association deciding in principle not to represent the eight accused in court. The association is expected to take a formal decision during its general body meeting on Monday, a move that reflects the strong emotions surrounding the high profile case.

Faizabad Bar Association President Kalika Mishra said the matter would be placed before the association's general body for a final decision. If approved, none of the association's advocates are likely to appear on behalf of the accused during legal proceedings.

The issue has generated intense reactions among the city's legal fraternity, with several lawyers describing the alleged theft of temple offerings as an act that has deeply hurt public sentiments. Bar Association Secretary Shailendra Jaiswal said advocates had unanimously agreed in principle not to defend those arrested in the case. He added that the association would finalise its stand after the president and general body formally deliberate on the matter before deciding the next course of action.

The proposed boycott echoes a similar stand taken by Ayodhya lawyers in 2005 , when advocates had refused to represent those accused in the terrorist attack on the Ram temple.

Some lawyers also made strong remarks while demanding stringent action against the accused. Advocate Vivek Kumar Singh criticised the manner in which the accused were produced before the magistrate under heavy police protection, while senior advocate Rajendra Chaudhary called for the strictest possible action, saying the alleged crime had tarnished Ayodhya's image across the country and abroad.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the alleged donation scam has intensified. Police on Sunday conducted simultaneous raids at the residences of all eight accused, accompanied by local magistrates. Searches were carried out at the homes of the accused, including Lavkush Mishra , Avinash Shukla , and Ramashankar Yadav , as investigators continued gathering evidence.

The raids came two days after a court in Ayodhya remanded all eight accused to judicial custody until June 29 . Investigators are expected to seek their custodial remand when they are produced before the court on Monday, as the probe into the alleged misappropriation of temple donations gathers pace.

The case has drawn nationwide attention because it involves donations made by devotees at one of India's most revered religious sites. With legal proceedings set to continue and the Bar Association preparing to take a formal decision, the controversy has evolved beyond a criminal investigation into a matter carrying significant social and public interest.