Babri demolition: Charges against Advani, others to be framed today

LUCKNOW: The CBI special court (Ayodhya case) will frame charges against senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Uma Bharti, Murli Manohar Joshi and nine others in the 1992 Babri demolition case on Tuesday.

Judge SK Yadav had on May 25 directed all 12 accused in the case to remain present before the court for framing of charges on May 30. The judge had also ruled out any exemption from personal appearance to Advani and others, making it mandatory for them to remain present in court.

LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, Sadhvi Rithambara, Vishnu Hari Dalmai, Vinay Katiyar, Ram Vilas Vedanti, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Mahant Dharamdas, Champat Rai Bansal, Baikunth Lal Sharma and Shiv Sena leader Satish Pradhan will be present before the court on Tuesday.

Criminal conspiracy charges would be framed against them under IPC section 120(b). The CBI special court had sent summons to all those allegedly associated with the demolition of the Babri mosque after a Supreme Court order. After receiving the summons, Vedanti, Mahant Gopal Das, Mahant Dharamdas, Bansal and Sharma had appeared before the court on May 20 for bail, which was granted by the court. Pradhan appeared before the court on May 24 and got bail. However, Advani, Joshi, Uma Bharti, Sadhvi Rithambara, Dalmai and Katiyar are yet to appear before court. On Tuesday, these leaders would also submit surrender application in the court and seek bail. They are also expected to complete all legal formalities when charges would be framed against them.