Babri verdict to be delivered by Aug 31

The Supreme Court on Friday further extended the deadline for the Lucknow Special Court till August 31 to complete the trial and deliver judgment in the Babri Masjid demolition conspiracy case against former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, senior BJP leaders Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti and others.

A Bench comprising Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice Surya Kant noted that by their July 19, 2019, order, the trial court judge was given nine months to complete the trial and deliver judgment but as on date even evidence is not complete.

Referring to May 6 letter by the Special Judge Surendra Kumar Yadav seeking extension of time, Justice Nariman in the order on Friday said, “Despite nine months having expired from the aforesaid date, we still find, … that even the evidence is not yet completed.”

Asking the Special Judge to take recourse to video conferencing to complete the evidence, the top court on

Friday said, “It is up to Yadav to control the proceedings in accordance with law so that inordinate delay that is beyond the time frame that we now give, is no longer breached.”

Noting that the Special Judge is making all efforts to complete the trial, the court while further extending the deadline till August 31 said, “given the original time frame and the extended time frame, the effort must now be to complete the proceedings and deliver judgment latest by August 31, 2020.”

The top court by its July 19, 2019, order while giving Special Court nine monthstime to complete the trial and pronounce the judgment had asked all including the prosecution and defense to co-operate in the conclusion of trial.

The Judge, who was to retire on September 30, 2019, was given extension of his tenure by the Supreme Court on July 19 last year to complete the trial and deliver judgment.

The top court bench by April 19, 2017, verdict had revived the conspiracy charge in Babri Masjid demolition case.