Uncertainty over Advani, Joshi appearance on Babri judgment day

Senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi’s presence in the special CBI court on Wednesday, the judgment day in Babri Masjid demolition case, will be clear on the day itself.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, senior BJP leaders, including Advani and Joshi might seek exemption from personal appearance on Wednesday. They might appear through video conference.

Earlier due to the pandemic, the court had permitted Advani, Joshi and several others to record their statements through video conference.

Former MP CM Uma Bharti, chairman of Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust Mahant Nritya Gopal Das and Shiv Sena leader Satish Pradhan have expressed inability to appear before the court on Wednesday.

Uma Bharti’s Covid-19 positive report will be presented before the court on Wednesday. Former UP CM Kalyan Singh has also tested positive for Covid-19

and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Ghaziabad. In all probability, he will not be able to appear before the court.

Pradhan, who lives in Mumbai, has also expressed his inability to appear before the court due to his fragile health.

There are 32 accused in the case. According to law, all have to remain present in court on judgment day. But due to the pandemic, the court might allow relaxation in the rule.

“I will inform the court about the status of my clients on Wednesday. I have informed Advani, Joshi and my other clients about the judgment day. Whether they will appear before the court or not will be clear on that day itself,” said lawyer KK Mishra.

Mishra is representing 25 out of 32 accused in the case, including Advani, Joshi and Kalyan.