The Faizabad Bar Association on Thursday, 1 July submitted a formal complaint at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station in Ayodhya, seeking registration of a fresh FIR against Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's former General Secretary Champat Rai, former trustee Anil Mishra, and others over the alleged embezzlement of funds and donations at the Ram Temple. The complaint marks a significant escalation in a case that has already seen eight arrests under a separate FIR.

How the Complaint Came About

The Bar Association had initially planned a foot march to the police station, but called it off after the police reportedly assured them that an FIR would be registered. Association President Kalika Prasad Mishra said the new complaint is entirely distinct from the earlier FIR and targets different individuals. 'More names can get added,' he said, indicating the inquiry could widen further.

Key Concerns Raised by the Bar Association

Mishra flagged procedural irregularities in the previous FIR, particularly in how cash recoveries were documented. 'The police have recovered the cash from ten different places, but it has been mentioned together,' he said, questioning the accuracy of the police record. He also blamed the police for 'failing' to protect temple funds despite what he described as heavy security at the premises. 'Despite such heavy security, this large-scale misappropriation took place,' he added.

Demand for CBI and ED Intervention

The Bar Association has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged embezzlement, with Mishra also pressing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to step in given the scale of funds involved. 'There is so much money involved, who will probe if the ED does not come in? In fact, it should have come in by now,' he said. The demand reflects growing concern that local police may be ill-equipped — or insufficiently independent — to investigate a case touching one of India's most politically sensitive religious institutions.

What the Documents Reveal

While reports suggest crores worth of funds and valuables may have been misappropriated from the temple, the amount formally documented on record stands at ₹79.85 lakh, according to documents submitted before the court by the investigating team. Among those named in earlier proceedings, Avinash Shukla was found in possession of the largest recovered sum — ₹20.39 lakh — allegedly from temple offerings. Lavkush Mishra had ₹14.25 lakh recovered from him, and Anukalp Mishra had ₹16.82 lakh seized. Ram Shankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu Yadav, who has emerged as a prominent face in the alleged loot, was found with ₹1 lakh in cash. This comes amid a broader pattern of accountability questions surrounding large religious endowments in India, where oversight mechanisms have historically lagged the scale of donations received.

What Happens Next

The police's response to the Bar Association's complaint will be closely watched. If an FIR is registered against Champat Rai and others as demanded, it could open a parallel legal track alongside the existing case. Whether central agencies such as the CBI or ED formally enter the picture remains to be seen, but the Bar Association has made clear it intends to pursue both avenues.