The Ayodhya Bar Association resolved on Monday, April 29, 2024, that no lawyer will represent the accused in the Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case [1].
This decision creates a significant legal hurdle for the defendants, as the local bar association is effectively blocking access to legal counsel within the city of Ayodhya. The move signals a high level of community indignation regarding the alleged theft of funds intended for the temple project.
The association passed the resolution to pressure those accused and to deter legal professionals from taking the case [2]. A spokesperson for the Ayodhya Bar Association said, "No lawyer will represent the accused in the donation embezzlement case" [3].
To enforce this mandate, the association has introduced a steep financial penalty for those who defy the resolution. A spokesperson for the group said, "Any lawyer who attempts to defend the accused will be liable to a fine of Rs 5 lakh" [4]. The fine is set at Rs 5 lakh [5].
The case centers on allegations of embezzlement involving donations meant for the Ram Mandir project in Uttar Pradesh. The local legal community has cited these concerns as the primary reason for the boycott, intending to ensure that those accused do not find local support for their defense [2].
Legal professionals in Ayodhya are now expected to adhere to this collective agreement, which prohibits the representation of the accused regardless of the specific charges in the embezzlement case [1].
“No lawyer will represent the accused in the donation embezzlement case.”
This action by the Ayodhya Bar Association represents a collective effort to isolate the defendants socially and legally. By imposing a significant financial penalty on its members, the association is leveraging peer pressure and professional risk to ensure the accused cannot secure local representation, which may force the defendants to seek counsel from outside the region.
