Babri Demolition case: LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti among 12 to appear before CBI court on Tuesday

Former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, ex-HRD minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and Union minister Uma Bharti are among 12 accused who will appear before a Special CBI Court on Tuesday for framing of criminal conspiracy charges under Section 120-B.

In his orders dated May 25 and 26, the CBI Judge SK Yadav had categorically stated that “no further adjournments on exemption from personal appearance would be granted and all the accused have to appear before the court without any excuse for framing of charges.”

All 12 accused, namely Adavni, Dr Joshi, Uma Bharti, Vinay Katiyar, Sadhvi Ritambhara, Vishnua Hari Dalmia, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Dr Ram Vilas Vedanti, Champat Rai Bansal, Baikunth Lal Sharma, Mahant Dharam Das Maharaj and Satish Pradhan will appear before the court for framing of criminal conspiracy charges in connection with the demolition of the Babi Masjid on December 6, 1992.

Counsels of accused have also confirmed their presence in the court on Tuesday. “My clients are coming to the court as directed,” said Manish Tripathi, Cousel for VHP and Shiv Sena leaders.

The criminal conspiracy charges are being slapped on these 12 accused on Supreme Court’s order dated April 19. There were as many as 49 accused in case no 198/92, but most of them died during the court proceedings from Lucknow to Rae Bareli courts in the past 25 years.

As of now there are 13 accused, including Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, whose name was dropped from framing of charges due to constitutional immunity he enjoys being the governor.

Tight security arrangements have been made in and around the Session Court compound in view of personal appearance of senior BJP, VHP and Shiv Sena leaders, including Advani, Dr Joshi and Uma Bharti.