Babri demolition: SC asks UP govt to pass orders in 2 weeks on extension of special judge's tenure

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to reply to a demand by the Lucknow special court judge, who is trying the Babri Masjid demolition case involving several top leaders of the ruling party, for police protection ahead of the case drawing to a close.

“This is a reasonable demand,” a bench led by RF Nariman said, seeking the state’s views on the plea. The state is expected to respond in two weeks. Initially, the political aspect of the case involving senior leaders was being dealt with in a separate court in Rae Bareilly and the criminal aspects involving lower rung party workers and activists in Lucknow. The top court subsequently ordered a joint trial in Lucknow and revived criminal conspiracy charges against the party top brass. Many important accused in the case have died in between since a lot of time has passed since the demolition.

The trial has meandered on for years; it was to conclude by July this year but the judge had sought a sixmonth extension. He was then to retire on September 30. But the top court stepped in to extend his tenure beyond by asking the state to extend it. That is yet to be done but will be done soon, the state has assured the court. The court had at the last hearing on extending his term asked him to conclude the trial in the next nine months. He then sent a letter to a bench also comprising Justice Surya Kant seeking security.