Babri Masjid demolition case: Supreme Court frowns on 25 year delay in hearing
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed shock and disappointment over the 25 year delay in completing the Babri Masjid demolition case in which a host of top BJP leaders including L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi face criminal prosecution.
The top court hinted that it may direct that a single special judge to hold a joint trial of all the accused in Lucknow and dispose of the case in 2 years. Advani and other BJP leaders are facing a host of charges in Rae Bareilly but not the charge of criminal conspiracy.
The CBI now wants this charge revived and a joint trial in Lucknow.
Advani is opposed to it. He wants the criminal conspiracy charge added to the charges in the Rae Bareilly court. "If the CBI had proof that I conspired with over 1 lakh Kar Sevaks they should have added it there," his lawyer K K Venugopal argued.
In any case there can be no joint trial without a state notification, he said. "Many governments have come and gone. The BSP and the SP too. They could have come up with the notification," he said.
He opposed any top court order transferring the Rae Bareilly case to Lucknow. "That would be against my fundamental right to life and liberty which can only be taken away by law," he said. The court prima facie did not agree with him and indicated that it would step in to hasten the process of trial.
Among those who are facing trial in Rae Bareilly include Joshi, and other VHP leaders. Those responsible for the actual demolition are facing charges including conspiracy in Lucknow. Thirteen others have been discharged.
The top court hinted that it may direct that a single special judge to hold a joint trial of all the accused in Lucknow and dispose of the case in 2 years. Advani and other BJP leaders are facing a host of charges in Rae Bareilly but not the charge of criminal conspiracy.
The CBI now wants this charge revived and a joint trial in Lucknow.
Advani is opposed to it. He wants the criminal conspiracy charge added to the charges in the Rae Bareilly court. "If the CBI had proof that I conspired with over 1 lakh Kar Sevaks they should have added it there," his lawyer K K Venugopal argued.
In any case there can be no joint trial without a state notification, he said. "Many governments have come and gone. The BSP and the SP too. They could have come up with the notification," he said.
He opposed any top court order transferring the Rae Bareilly case to Lucknow. "That would be against my fundamental right to life and liberty which can only be taken away by law," he said. The court prima facie did not agree with him and indicated that it would step in to hasten the process of trial.
Among those who are facing trial in Rae Bareilly include Joshi, and other VHP leaders. Those responsible for the actual demolition are facing charges including conspiracy in Lucknow. Thirteen others have been discharged.
