BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj declared absconder in Babri case

BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh's Unnao constituency Sakshi Maharaj has been declared an absconder by a special CBI court after he failed to appear for a trial.

The move came in the wake of Sakshi Maharaj's continued absence for the trial he is facing in the Babri Mosque demolition case.

The court fixed July 26 for next hearing.

Sakshi Maharaj's lawyers told the court Monday that he will be present in the court Saturday as he was busy with parliament's budget session in New Delhi.

"We have spoken to our client on phone and he has assured that he will appear in the court Saturday," his counsel told Special Judge Shashi Mauli Tiwari, who refused to pay heed to the explanation.

The court earlier issued an arrest warrant against Sakshi Maharaj, considered close to former chief minister Kalyan Singh.

Sakshi Maharaj's name with other senior BJP leaders figured in a First Information Report (FIR) filed in Ayodhya Dec 2, 1992. While 49 people were named as accused for the demolition of the mosque, 13 were acquitted of the charges at primary level.

The CBI has challenged their acquittal in the Supreme Court and the case is pending.