Babri demolition case: CBI court exempts LK Advani, MM Joshi and Uma Bharti from personal appearance

BJP stalwart LK Advani, MP Murli Manohar Joshi and Union Minister Uma Bharati received a big relief from the special CBI court (Ayodhya Prakran) on Wednesday, getting exemption from personal appearance during the ongoing trial against them and nine others in the Babri demolition case.

Counsels of these BJP leaders had moved an application seeking exemption from personal appearance during the trial, due to the old age of Advani and Joshi, while Union Minister Uma Bharati had pleaded extensive travel as reason for her inability to appear before the court daily during the trial.

Allowing their application, the special CBI judge Justice SK Yadav passed an order granting them the exemption.

However, Justice Yadav made it clear to the Babri demolition conspiracy case accused that they will have to appear before the court whenever they are required.

The special CBI court had framed conspiracy and other charges against Advani, Joshi, Bharati and nine others on May 30, 2017 and allowed the prosecution to begin the trial. On the Supreme Court April 19, 2017 directive, the special CBI court is hearing the Babri demolition case on daily basis to finish off the trial within two years.

Besides these three senior BJP leaders, BJP MP Vinay Katiyar, Sadhvi Ritambhara, Vishnu Hari Dalima, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Mahant Dharam Das Maharaj, Dr Ram Vilas Vednati, Champat Rai Bansal, Baikunth Lal Sharma and Shiv sena leader Satish Pradan are the other accused against whom charges were framed on May 30 2107 by the special CBI court.