Babri Masjid case: CBI court to frame charges against LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharati today

NEW DELHI: A special CBI court in Lucknow will frame charges against senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Union Minister Uma Bharati for their alleged role in the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992.

The court will also frame charges against Sadhwi Ritambhara, BJP MP Vinay Katiyar and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Vishnu Hari Dalmia.

Special CBI judge SK Yadav had asked them to appear personally before the court on May 30, cautioning them that no further exemption would be allowed.


Before her court appearance Uma Bharti today said: “It (Babri demolition) was an open protest, as it was during the time of emergency. What conspiracy was there in it I don’t know.”

“It is the matter of God and in such a case I can only have expectations from him. Since I have taken part in it with devotion, I don’t consider myself as a criminal,” she said.


Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met LK Advani in Lucknow ahead of hearing today.

The verdict in this sensitive case will have major repercussions in the state and national politics.

In 2001, a CBI court had dropped the conspiracy charges against them and the Allahabad high court upheld the judgment in 2010.

But the Supreme Court on April 19 this year ordered prosecution of Advani, Joshi , Uma Bharti and other accused for criminal conspiracy in the 25-year-old case.

The apex court had asked the special court to conduct day-to-day hearing, frame fresh charges within a month, and wrap up the case within two years.

Calling the Allahabad High Court's February 12, 2001 verdict as "erroneous", the top court had called the destruction of the structure a "crime" which shook the "secular fabric of the Constitution".

Supreme Court had also criticised CBI for the delay of 25 years in the trial.

(Inputs from PTI)