Champat Rai, 2 others asked to leave Ayodhya, Bar Assn won't defend accused

The Faizabad Bar Association has resolved that none of its members will represent the eight accused arrested in the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations. The association warned that any lawyer violating the resolution would face a penalty of Rs 5 lakh. The association also demanded that Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao, all associated with the management of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, leave Ayodhya within three days. Rai, the Trust's former general secretary, and Mishra resigned from their posts on Saturday following the allegations. 
The Bar Association further warned that if the trio, who have not been mentioned in the FIR, failed to leave within the stipulated period, Ayodhya would be blockaded and no one would be allowed to enter the city. "The sentiments of all of us have been hurt by the theft of temple offerings. The lawyers of Faizabad have unanimously decided not to appear on behalf of the arrested accused," Bar Association secretary Shailendra Jaiswal said. Bar Association president Kalika Prasad Mishra said no advocate belonging to the association would defend the arrested accused. The association also resolved to seek registration of an FIR against the three under Section 156(3) of the BNSS. Mishra said the Bar would first approach the police and, if no action was taken, move the courts.The lawyers also decided to seek a CBI probe into the alleged embezzlement by moving the Allahabad High Court and, if necessary, the Supreme Court.

VIDEO | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: Ayodhya Bar Association president Kalika Sharan Mishra, says, "It was decided in the meeting that no lawyer will defend the accused (in Ram Temple donation theft case). It was resolved that the lawyers of our Bar Association will not represent the… pic.twitter.com/Cbu3UaQ3HG

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Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday recorded the statement of Rai as part of its probe into the alleged donation embezzlement case.  Police on Sunday conducted searches at the residences of all eight accused as part of the ongoing investigation.