LUCKNOW, June 7:
The special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court has granted senior BJP leaders LK Advani, MM Joshi and Uma Bharti, facing trial on conspiracy charges in connection with the disputed structure case, exemption from personal appearance in the day-to-day hearing.
CBI Special Judge Surendra Kumar Yadav accepted the exemption from personal appearance of these senior BJP leaders after their lawyers moved the applications yesterday.
On May 30, the court had framed criminal conspiracy charges against them for their alleged role in instigating a mob to demolish the disputed structure in Ayodhya in 1992.
The fast-track court is hearing two separate cases related to the demolition of the disputed structure, which stood at a place believed to the birthplace of Hindu God Ram, and where a temple once stood.
The three others against whom conspiracy charges were framed included BJP’s Vinay Katiyar, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)’s Vishnu Hari Dalmia and religious preacher Sadhvi Rithambara.
Mr Advani, along with Ms Bharti, were among the leaders, who were personally present in court for the hearing.
The direction of the CBI court holds significance, since Ms Bharti is a sitting Minister in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), while both Mr Advani and Mr Joshi are senior leaders of the BJP.
The accused in the two cases have been charged with criminal conspiracy under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) and other provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1960.
The three senior BJP leaders and others were, however, granted bail on furnishing of personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each.
The leaders were named in an FIR filed after the demolition of Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992. (UNI)
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