Babri case: CBI court grants bail to Advani and 11 others

Lucknow: Senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Union Minister Uma Bharati and others were granted bail by the special CBI court, on Tuesday, on personal bond of Rs 50, 000 each.

The court was scheduled to frame charges against them for their alleged role in the Babri demolition in 1992.

BJP leader LK Advani arrives at the guest house here ahead of the CBI court hearing. He is greeted by Ram Vilas Vedanti and Mahant Dharamdas who will also appear before the court. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also met him at VVIP guest house ahead of their appearance in the court.

Yogi, in fact, saw them off when the leaders proceeded to attend court proceedings. Also present there was Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya who said, "It may be black day for opposition but it is a matter of pride for Bharatiya Janata Party, irrespective of verdict."

Charges would also be framed against Sadhwi Ritambhara, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Vinay Katiyar and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Vishnu Hari Dalmia.

Last week, counsel of the accused had moved a plea in the court to exempt Advani, Joshi and Bharati from personal appearance, but it was turned down.

Charges against six others accused in the matter - Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Baikunth Lal Sharma, Dharm Das, Champat Rai Bansal and Shiv Sena's Satish Pradhan, who were granted bail, will also be framed on Tuesday.

All the accused are facing charges of conspiring to bring down the mosque.

ALSO READ:

Babri Masjid: Timeline of before and after its demolition

The Central Bureau of Investigation had opposed dropping the charges against these leaders in the Supreme Court after which the the apex court directed the special CBI court in Lucknow to hold daily hearings on the 25-year-old matter and wrap it up within two years.