Lawyers in Ayodhya have demanded that police register cases against former office-bearers of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, citing the ongoing controversy over alleged theft of temple donations.
The demand follows complaints that crores of rupees and valuables, including gold and silver, were stolen from offerings made at the Ram temple. A three-member Special Investigation Team constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government has been probing the matter and has arrested eight people.
Police searches at the accused persons’ homes reportedly led to the seizure of Rs 77.85 lakh in cash, 11 grams of gold and 375 grams of silver. Police have also questioned former trust general secretary Champat Rai in connection with the case.
The Faizabad Bar Association urged that cases be registered against Champat Rai, former trustees Anil Mishra, Gopal Rao who oversaw construction work, and Krishna Mohan who filed the first information report, and that the probe be conducted without bias.
On Wednesday, lawyers held a protest march from the court परिसर to the Ram Janmabhoomi police station and raised slogans against the former trust officials. A scuffle reportedly broke out between police and lawyers, leaving some injured, after which a group of lawyers entered the station, argued with police and submitted a complaint. Police assured them of appropriate action, following which the protesters dispersed. A decision on whether to accept or reject the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra is expected at a trust meeting on July 6, according to reports.
