Babri demolition case: Court exempts Advani, Joshi from daily appearance

Daily hearings are on against Advani, Joshi and 12 others over demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya

A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Wednesday exempted veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi from personal appearance during the hearing of the Babri Masjid demolition case in view of their age.

Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti, who is also being tried for criminal conspiracy, has also been granted exemption on the ground that her daily appearance could hinder her official work, a court official said.

The daily hearings are on against Advani, Joshi and 12 others over the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

Six other accused have also filed application seeking exemption from personal appearance but the court is yet to pronounce a verdict.

On May 30, the CBI court granted them bail on personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each but dismissed the discharge application when the defence counsel sought quashing of the criminal conspiracy charge.

The court ordered framing of charges under 120 B of the Indian Penal Code against the accused as sought by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The special court is conducting daily hearings as mandated by the Supreme Court.