SC defers hearing on Babri Masjid conspiracy case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday deferred for Thursday the hearing on a CBI plea seeking restoration of charge of criminal conspiracy against senior BJP leaders in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought restoration of charge of criminal conspiracy against senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Union Minister Uma Bharti, Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh and others.

The bench, headed by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, adjourned the hearing saying that it would be heard by a bench comprising him (Justice Ghose) and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman.

The apex court is hearing an appeal filed by the CBI challenging the May 2010 Allahabad High Court decision absolving Advani and others of the charge of criminal conspiracy that led to the razing of the 16th century mosque in the Uttar Pradesh town of Ayodhya on December 6, 1992.

The high court had acquitted Advani, Joshi and Uma Bharti and Kalyan Singh of the charge of criminal conspiracy in the demolition of the Babri Masjid.

The top court had on March 31, 2015, issued notice to Advani, Joshi, Uma Bharti, Kalyan Singh and others on the plea by CBI.

--IANS

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