Babri Masjid demolition case: CBI court frames charges against Advani, Manohar Joshi & Uma Bharti

A special CBI court framed charges of criminal conspiracy against senior BJP leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case.

The court rejected the discharge petition filed by the three leaders and nine others who have been accused of criminal conspiracy.

Earlier, the court granted bail to all twelve accused on a personal bond of Rs 50,000.

The BJP leaders arrived in court amid heavy security as the case stirred memories of the temple demolition nearly 25 years ago. 

The Lucknow court has set a day-to-day trial after the judge had said no application for adjournment or exemption from personal appearance shall be entertained.

The court has set a two-year deadline to decide the case.

The special CBI judge S K Yadav had asked BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmia and Sadhvi Ritambara to present themselves before the court in person.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath had met  BJP senior leader L K Advani ahead of the court hearing. The Uttar Pradesh administration has put a security parameter around the courtroom with hundreds of police personnel surrounding the area. 

Also Read: Babri demolition: LK Advani, Uma Bharti asked to appear before court on May 30

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.

The Supreme Court had on April 19 ordered prosecution of Advani (89), Joshi (83), 58-year-old Bharti, and other accused of criminal conspiracy in the politically sensitive case.

The top court had called the destruction of the medieval-era monument a "crime" which shook the "secular fabric of the Constitution" while allowing the CBI's plea seeking restoration of criminal conspiracy charge against the four BJP leaders, including Katiyar (62), and others.

(WION with agency inputs)