Ram Temple Funds – Faizabad Bar Association Seeks FIR Against Former Trust Officials
Ram Temple Funds – The Faizabad Bar Association has submitted a written complaint at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station, seeking an FIR against former Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, former trustee Anil Mishra and other individuals over allegations related to the handling of Ram Temple funds and donations.
The complaint was filed on Thursday after the association withdrew its proposed march to the police station. Bar Association representatives said the march was called off following an assurance from police that the complaint would be considered for registration of a case.
Association raises questions over earlier police action
Earlier in the day, Faizabad Bar Association President Kalika Prasad Mishra expressed concern over the investigation already underway in the matter. He questioned the manner in which police had recorded the recovery of cash in the earlier FIR, which resulted in the arrest of eight people.
Mishra said the association had noticed discrepancies in the way recoveries were presented. According to him, police documents referred to cash recovered from several locations, but the amounts were shown together rather than being clearly separated by place and circumstance.
He said the new complaint was distinct from the previous case because it named a different set of people. The association is seeking an investigation into the alleged role of former Trust office-bearers and others, while leaving open the possibility that additional names could be included as the matter progresses.
Demand for CBI and ED investigation
The Bar Association has also called for a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the alleged financial irregularities. Mishra said the scale of the claims required an independent examination by a central agency.
He further urged the Enforcement Directorate to examine the matter, arguing that the allegations involved substantial amounts of money and valuable offerings. Mishra said the agency should assess whether any financial offences requiring its intervention had taken place.
The association president also criticised the police, alleging that security arrangements around the Trust and temple premises had failed to prevent the suspected misuse of donations. He said the issue required a detailed probe because of the public importance of the Ram Temple and the faith associated with it.
Recorded theft figure lower than broader allegations
While allegations have circulated about crores of rupees and valuables allegedly being diverted, the theft amount formally documented in the case record is Rs 79.85 lakh. The figure reportedly emerged from papers submitted by the investigating team before a court.
Documents available in the public domain indicate that investigators recovered cash from several accused persons during the probe. Lavkush Mishra was reportedly found with Rs 14.25 lakh, while Rs 16.82 lakh was recovered from Anukalp Mishra.
Investigators also reported recovering Rs 20.39 lakh from Avinash Shukla, the highest amount among the accused mentioned in the available documents. Ram Shankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu Yadav, was allegedly found with Rs 1 lakh in cash.
Case remains under legal scrutiny
The allegations against the former Trust officials have not been established in court. Police are expected to examine the Bar Association’s complaint and decide whether a separate FIR is warranted.
The case has drawn attention because it concerns offerings and donations linked to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Any further action, including a possible central agency inquiry, will depend on the findings of law enforcement authorities and directions from the courts.