The Faizabad Bar Association on Monday intensified the controversy surrounding the alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement case by demanding that senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders associated with the temple's management, including Champat Rai and Anil Mishra, leave Ayodhya within three days.

At a general body meeting, the lawyers' body passed a resolution asking Rai, Mishra and other VHP functionaries linked to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to leave the city.

The association warned that if they fail to do so, it would launch a democratic agitation and blockade against them.

The Bar Association also resolved that none of its members would represent the accused in the alleged misappropriation of Ram Temple donations case.

The move comes amid an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving donations made at the Ram Temple.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing the case, several arrests have already been made, and nearly ₹80 lakh has reportedly been recovered during the investigation.

The controversy has triggered political and public scrutiny over the temple's financial management.

Reports over the past few days said Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra had submitted their resignations on moral grounds following the controversy. However, VHP leaders have maintained there was no pressure on Rai to step down and have accused opposition parties of politicising the issue.