Court Rules Against LK Advani, Others On Conspiracy Charge in Babri Case

A CBI court in Lucknow today ruled that veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and other accused in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case would be charged with criminal conspiracy. The special court while granting bail to all the accused on personal bond of Rs 20,000 each rejected the discharge petition filed by them and said they will be charged under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code.

The leaders pleaded the court to drop conspiracy charges against them, saying they had no role in the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992. However, the court rejected the plea.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath met Advani at the VVIP Guest House in Lucknow soon after the veteran leader arrived from New Delhi. After his meeting with Advani, Adityanath was seen talking to some lawyers.
The Supreme Court had on April 19 ordered prosecution of Advani (89), Joshi (83), 58-year-old Uma Bharti, and other accused for criminal conspiracy in the politically sensitive case. It had also ordered day-to-day trial to be concluded in two years.