Babri demolition order won't affect party veterans' future Swamy

After special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court framed charges against all accused including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti in the Babri Masjid demolition case, party leader Subramanian Swamy said the decision would not affect party veterans? future as they are still innocent in the eyes of the court.

?This is the right time when everyone would come to know about the facts and the truth about this issue. This would not affect the future of the politicians as they are innocent in the Supreme Court?s eye. It will depend on court?s verdict,? Swamy told ANI.

Meanwhile, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader M. G. Vaidya refrained from speaking on the issue while saying that he would comment on it after the court?s final order.

?Let?s see what will be the Court?s decision then only we can comment on it. It was not a conspiracy,? he told ANI.

In a major setback to BJP veterans-- Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, a special CBI court earlier in the day rejected their discharge application, framing charges against them and the other nine accused in the case.

Charges of criminal conspiracy under section 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) have been framed against all the accused.

However, the accused will now move the Allahabad High Court against the CBI court?s order.

Earlier today, the court granted bail to all the accused by signing a personal bond of Rs. 20,000.

?They have been granted bail by signing bonds of Rs. 20,000. We have submitted discharge application. If the court rejects it, then charges will be framed,? said lawyer of accused Prashant Atal.

The court had also asked BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmia and Sadhvi Ritambara to present themselves before the court in person.

While directing the accused to present themselves in person, the judge had said no application for adjournment or exemption from personal appearance shall be entertained.

The court, which is hearing two separate cases relating to the demolition, 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, Joshi, Uma Bharti, and other accused for criminal conspiracy in the politically sensitive case. It had also ordered day-to-day trial to be concluded in two years.

The apex court ordered that two separate cases in Lucknow and Raebareli against Advani, Joshi and Bharti and unknown 'kar sevaks' shall be brought together in one trial.

The apex court also directed the trial court in Lucknow to commence the proceedings in four weeks and hear the matter on a day-to-day basis so as to complete the hearing in two years. The apex court also said there will be no 'de novo' (fresh) trial.

The CBI has been ordered to ensure that at least one prosecution witness appears in the trial court for recording of testimony.

To ensure a speedy trial, the top court has given two important directions - first, no party shall be granted adjournments without the sessions' judge being satisfied of the reasons for it; second, the trial judge hearing the case shall not be transferred till the judgement is delivered.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)