Lawyers of the Faizabad Bar Association are likely to refuse legal representation to the eight accused arrested in the alleged embezzlement of offerings at the Ram Temple, reviving a position similar to the one adopted in 2005 when the association declined to defend those arrested in the Ram Janmabhoomi terrorist attack case.
The proposal will be placed before the general body meeting of the Faizabad Bar Association, which is scheduled to be held on Monday. Kalika Mishra, president of the Faizabad Bar Association, said the final decision on whether advocates will represent the accused will be taken during the meeting.
The alleged theft of temple offerings has sparked anger among members of the Bar Association, with advocates demanding stern action against all eight accused arrested in the case.
Shailendra Jaiswal, secretary of the Faizabad Bar Association, said, “The sentiments of all of us have been hurt by the theft of temple offerings. The lawyers of Faizabad have agreed not to plead on behalf of the arrested accused. In this matter, a decision will be taken only by the Bar Association president and the general body of the Bar. After this, the further strategy will be prepared.”
Several advocates also objected to the manner in which the accused were allegedly produced before the remand magistrate. Advocate Vivek Kumar Singh said the police should not have produced the accused under heavy security arrangements.
