KATIYAR, VHP LEADERS SAY CBI PRESENTED WRONG FACTS

AYODHYA: The Supreme Court order allowing the CBI plea to restore the criminal conspiracy charge against top BJP leaders LK Advani, MM Joshi and Uma Bharti among others in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case evoked a mixed reaction here.

Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha member Vinay Katiyar, one of those who faced the criminal conspiracy charge, told HT on the phone that he was ready to undergo “any kind of punishment” for Ram Lala if found guilty after the trial.

He claimed that he did not participate in any conspiracy to demolish the Babri Masjid. “It is the CBI which tried to trap us by presenting wrong facts before the court,” he said.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad spokesperson Sharad Sharma said the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 occurred due to the “collective anger of the masses”.

He, too, told HT that the Supreme Court decision came due to presentation of wrong facts by the CBI.

Legal experts were studying the decision for future action, he said.

On the other hand, Haji Mahboob and Iqbal Ansari, plaintiffs in the Ayodhya case, welcomed the Supreme Court decision and distributed sweets.

Both of them told HT that the apex court did the right thing.

Hindu Shiv Sena president Santosh Dubey, who is already facing trial in the Babri Masjid demolition case, welcomed the apex court decision.

He said the Allahabad high court earlier favoured senior BJP leaders whereas “poor karsewaks” were facing trial.

The Allahabad high court had earlier dropped the criminal conspiracy charges against top BJP leaders.