Accused likely to file written replies today
LUCKNOW: Some of the total 32 accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case are likely to file their written replies through their counsel in the special CBI court on Monday.
On August 21, Surendra Kumar Yadav, judge, special CBI court, had ordered all the accused in the case to file their written replies on August 24.
“I will try to file the reply today (Monday),” said lawyer
KK Mishra who is representing senior BJP leaders, including LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Kalyan Singh, and others in the case. The CBI had filed it written argument in the case on August 21. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had extended deadline of the special CBI court (Ayodhya case) hearing the Babri Masjid demolition case in Lucknow till September 30. The apex court had earlier given the special CBI court time till August 31 to pronounce its verdict in the case.
Senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Kalyan Singh besides Uma Bharti are among 32 accused in the case. All the accused have recorded their statements in the case before the CBI court.
The Supreme Court had on July 19, 2019 extended by six months the time frame for completing the criminal trial in Ayodhya case and also set a deadline of nine months for the final order.
The deadline expired on April 19 this year and special judge
Surendra Kumar Yadav wrote to the apex court on May 6, seeking an extension. The Supreme Court on May 8 issued a new deadline of August 31 with instructions to deliver the verdict by then.
On April 19, 2017, the Supreme Court had ordered the special judge to conduct a day-to-day trial and conclude it in two years.
According to legal experts, not all 32 accused will be able to file their replies on Monday and are likely to seek more time from the court.