Babri Case: Advani, Joshi, Uma to Face Criminal Conspiracy Charges
The SC had called the demolition of Babri Masjid a “crime” that shook the “secular fabric of the Constitution”.
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- BJP leaders LK Advani, Uma Bharti and Murli Manohar Joshi and others granted bail in the Babri demolition case
- Special CBI court framed criminal conspiracy charges against the BJP leaders
- BJP leaders’ discharge application rejected by CBI court
- UP CM Yogi Adityanath met Advani and Joshi ahead of hearing
- They will come out “unscathed,” said Union minister Venkaiah Naidu
- On 19 April, the SC ordered day-to-day trial in the case so as to deliver the verdict in two years
Top BJP leaders L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Union Minister Uma Bharti were on Tuesday arraigned in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case by a special CBI court here which ordered framing of charges invoking criminal conspiracy provision against them.
A last-minute bid by the three leaders and nine other accused to get discharged from the case was foiled when the court rejected their plea in this regard.
All the accused were earlier given bail on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each.
High drama marked proceedings in court, with BJP workers shouting "Jai Shri Ram" slogans outside and hailing the leaders.
Ahead of the proceedings, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called on Advani and Joshi and was closeted with them for over 20 minutes. He was later seen animatedly discussing some issues with the lawyers present in court.
Special judge S.K. Yadav observed that there was enough evidence against the leaders that required framing of conspiracy charge against them. The conspiracy charge has been added against the leaders, who also face offences under various sections, including 153 (A) of the IPC (promoting religious divide).
The court will be holding hearing on the matter on Wednesday.
Cong Demands Bharti's Resignation, Says Justice Should Be Delivered Expeditiously
The Congress on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Union Minister Uma Bharti, who has been charged with criminal conspiracy by a special CBI court in Lucknow in the Babri Masjid demolition case, and asked the prime minister to uphold the law and the Constitution.
The Congress also hoped that 25 years after the demolition of the structure, justice will be done and the guilty would be punished in accordance with the law of the land.
"One of the accused, Uma Bharti is a Union Cabinet Minister. Having been charge-sheeted, she must resign. Prime Minister must come forward and uphold the rule of law and the Constitution," AICC incharge of communications Randeep Surjewala said.
CBI Court Frames Charges
Special CBI court frames charges against BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and nine others after it rejected their discharge plea on Tuesday.
The CBI court said that it had enough evidence on record against Advani, Joshi, Bharti and others for framing of criminal conspiracy charges against them.
All Accused BJP Leaders Granted Bail
A special CBI court granted bail to BJP stalwarts LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and others on a personal bond of Rs 20,000 each.
A discharge application has been submitted to the court, said lawyer Prashant Atal representing the accused. “If it is rejected, charges will be framed. We will have clarity in the next 30 minutes,” he added.
The accused had argued against the framing of charges against them, asserting that they had no role in the razing of the mosque and had tried to stop it. Their discharge petitions were rejected by the judge.
The court is hearing two separate cases relating to the demolition of the 16th-century mosque.
Six others accused in the second case – Ramvilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma , Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Nritya Gopaldas, Dharam Das and Satish Pradhan – were also charged with conspiracy and offences such as promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, etc, and defiling a place of worship with the intent to insult a religion.
BJP Leaders Arrive at CBI Court
BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and others reach the CBI court in Lucknow for the hearing in the Babri demolition case.
Our Leaders Are Innocent, Says Naidu
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said that the accused BJP leaders are “innocent” and “will come out unscathed”.
Don't Call It Babri, It Is Ram Janambhoomi: Sakshi Maharaj
Saffron leader and MP from Unnao Sakshi Maharaj, a prime accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case, told reporters outside the court today that the media should stop referring to the case as “Babri”.
Yogi Meets LK Advani, Joshi
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath meets senior leaders Advani and Joshi at a VVIP guesthouse ahead of their hearing today.
The CM is also slated to visit Ayodhya on Wednesday.
I'm Not a Criminal: Uma Bharti
The demolition of Babri was part of a movement, BJP leader Uma Bharti told ANI. “I don’t know what the conspiracy is in this... I don’t consider myself a criminal,” she added.
Joshi, Advani Leave for Lucknow
Senior BJP leaders Murli Manohar Joshi and LK Advani have left Delhi to appear before a special CBI court today in Lucknow.
Supreme Court Hearing Two Separate Cases
BJP stalwarts LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, and Uma Bharti will appear before a special CBI court in Lucknow on Tuesday for framing of charges in the Babri Masjid demolition case.
Besides them, Special CBI judge SK Yadav had asked BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmia and a one-time firebrand Hindutva preacher Sadhvi Ritambara to present themselves before the court in person.
The court, which is hearing two separate cases relating to the demolition of the Babri masjid, would also frame charges against Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma alias Prem Ji, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Dharma Das and Satish Pradhan in the second matter.
Trial to Be Concluded in Two Years
The Supreme Court had on 19 April ordered the prosecution of Advani (89), Joshi (83), Bharti (58), and other accused for criminal conspiracy in the politically sensitive case. It had also ordered the day-to-day trial to be concluded in two years.
However, the Supreme Court had said BJP leader Kalyan Singh, who is the Rajasthan Governor and during whose tenure as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh the disputed structure was razed, is entitled to immunity under the Constitution as long as he holds the gubernatorial office.
It had transferred the case against Advani, Joshi, Bharti and three other accused from a Raebareli court to Lucknow for a joint trial in the demolition case.
(With inputs from ANI)
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