Cong taunts PM Modi's 'love for transparency' post Babri order

Stating that the Supreme Court's decision on the Babri Masjid demolition case has upheld the majesty of law, the Congress Party on Wednesday demanded Union Minister Uma Bharti's resignation while reminding Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act in accordance with 'his love for transparency and morality in politics'.

Former union minister and Congress leader Kapil Sibal equated the apex court's order with a film titled '20 saal baad'.

"At least after 25 years there is substantial step forward in the cause of justice. This shows that the majesty of the law has been upheld," the senior lawyer told ANI.

"Our Prime Minister is extremely committed to transparency and morality in politics. So, the Prime Minister should do what he has to do as sometimes he forgets morality and transparency on issues like this," demanded Sibal.

Meanwhile, Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav while refraining from taking names said everyone knows how the mob tore apart the Constitution in Ayodhya on that fateful day.

"What happened in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, is well-known and the courts have been pursuing the case since decades," he said.

Earlier in the day, the apex court allowed the CBI's appeal in the Babri Masjid demolition case and restored criminal conspiracy charges against BJP veterans LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Vinay Katiyar, Kalyan Singh and others.

However, Kalyan Singh, who was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1992, enjoys constitutional immunity as the Rajasthan Governor and can be tried only after he leaves office.

The apex court ordered that two separate cases in Lucknow and Raebareli against Advani, Joshi and Bharti and unknown 'kar sevaks' shall be brought together in one trial.

The Supreme Court also directed the trial court in Lucknow to commence the proceedings in four weeks and hear the matter on a day-to-day basis so as to complete the hearing in two years. The apex court also said there will be no 'de novo' (fresh) trial.

The CBI has been ordered to ensure that at least one prosecution witness appears in the trial court for recording of testimony.

To ensure speedy trial, the top court has given two important directions - first, no party shall be granted adjournments without the sessions judge being satisfied of the reasons for it; second, the trial judge hearing the case shall not be transferred till the judgement is delivered.

The Supreme Court also said that its order should be followed in letter and spirit. If the parties involved feel that the top court's order is not being followed in letter and spirit then they will be having the liberty to approach the apex court.