Babri mosque: India court acquits BJP leaders in demolition case

New Delhi: As the Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Lucknow, India on Wednesday announced its judgment acquitting all accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case while observing that the demolition was not pre-planned, those accused earlier in the case, political parties, Chief Ministers and Union Ministers gave mixed reactions.

While Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) welcomed the judgment, Congress, AIMIM, and CPI-M said they were not happy with the judgment. The persons accused in the case earlier said they were satisfied with the court’s decision.

Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi (one of the 32 persons accused earlier) said the decision of the Special CBI Court proved that no conspiracy was hatched for the December 6 incident in Ayodhya.

“It is a historic decision by the court. This proves that no conspiracy was hatched for December 6 incident in Ayodhya. Our programme and rallies were not part of any conspiracy. We are happy. Everyone should now be excited about Ram Mandir’s construction,” he said.

Senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani hailed the verdict by the special CBI court which acquitted him in the Babri Masjid demolition case along with 31 others. “I wholeheartedly welcome the judgment by the special court in the Babri Masjid demolition case. The judgment vindicates my personal and BJP’s belief and commitment toward the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.”

Sadhvi Ritambhara, one of the accused in the case said, “We have tolerated false accusations for such a long time. It is a fact that the path to truth is never easy. Lies have no foundation. Justice has been done.”