The Ayodhya Bar Association has officially called for a comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into allegations of financial mismanagement concerning donations made for the construction of the Ram Mandir. The concerns arose due to purported mishandling by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, responsible for overseeing the temple’s funds and offerings.
In a recent resolution, the Association emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the financial operations of the Trust, expressing a firm stance on seeking judicial intervention. As a part of their approach, the Association intends to petition the Allahabad High Court to request a CBI inquiry that would be monitored by the court, ensuring an impartial and thorough examination of all financial dealings associated with the Trust.
During an extraordinary general body meeting, the Association resolved that its members would abstain from representing any individuals accused of embezzling temple offerings. Furthermore, to uphold this decision, any member choosing to represent an accused would be required to contribute a “sahyog dhanrashi” (support fund) of ₹5 lakh per case to the Association’s fund.
When questioned about the potential for this decision to infringe upon an accused person’s right to legal representation, Ayodhya Bar Association Secretary Shailendra Jaiswal clarified the scope of the resolution. He stated, “Our decision is a reflection of the deep emotional impact that the theft of temple offerings has had on us, both as legal professionals and as Hindus residing in Ayodhya. While we are urging our members not to represent the accused, this does not extend beyond our local Bar Association. Lawyers from outside Ayodhya remain free to take up such cases.”
This development follows a recent decision by the Supreme Court, which declined to expedite a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a CBI probe into alleged financial irregularities tied to the Ram Mandir donations. On June 29, a vacation bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Sheel Nagu directed the petitioners to submit a copy of their plea to the Registry, noting that the matter would be reviewed in due course.
