The Faizabad Bar Association on Saturday warned of further agitation if an FIR is not registered against former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai, former trustee Anil Mishra and temple official Gopal Rao in connection with alleged irregularities in handling of donations at the Ram Mandir.
At a general body meeting presided over by association president Kalika Prasad Mishra, lawyers alleged that the government and administration are protecting the three and giving them a clean chit.
A delegation subsequently met Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Grover and demanded urgent action in the matter.
Kalika Prasad Mishra claimed those responsible for the alleged donation theft are being protected and said no case had been registered on the association's complaint naming Rai, Mishra and Rao as accused. He warned that the lawyers would continue their agitation until an FIR is registered.
The association had on June 29 resolved not to represent the eight persons arrested in the donation embezzlement case and impose a Rs 5 lakh fine on any member violating the decision. It had also demanded that Rai, Mishra and Rao leave Ayodhya and warned of stronger action if they failed to comply.
Bar Association secretary Shailendra Jaiswal said the alleged theft of temple offerings had hurt the sentiments of lawyers and devotees. "The sentiments of all of us have been hurt by the theft of temple offerings. The lawyers of Faizabad have agreed not to plead on behalf of the arrested accused."
The alleged embezzlement of Ram temple donations came to light in June, following which an FIR was registered on June 25 against eight accused. The case relates to alleged theft and misappropriation of cash and valuables offered by devotees at the temple.
The Faizabad Bar Association subsequently submitted a complaint seeking FIR against Rai, Mishra and Rao, alleging their involvement in the alleged embezzlement, and demanding a fair probe.
The controversy led to resignations of Rai and Mishra from their positions in the temple trust. The SIT, which investigated the case, later submitted its final report, which reportedly cleared Rai and Mishra of the donation-theft allegations.
(With inputs from PTI)
