CBI special court to deliver verdict in Babri Masjid demolition case tomorrow

After nearly 28 years, a special court in Lucknow will pronounce its judgment in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case on Wednesday, September 30. The demolition had triggered riots in many parts of the country that left nearly 2,000 dead. The court has directed all the accused to remain present in the court.

Among the 32 accused are senior BJP leaders Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Kalyan Singh, Sakshi Maharaj, Brij Bhushan Saran Singh and Uma Bharti. While both Bharti and Kalyan Singh were admitted in separate hospitals after coronavirus infection, it was not immediately known if they would be present in the court



at the time of pronouncement of order.

On September 1, after the statements of all the 32 accused were recorded under section 313 of the CrPC, the defence had submitted written arguments in the court. Under the said CRPC section, a judge questions the accused on the basis of the evidence put before the court, and the accused is given an opportunity to explain the allegations levelled against him.

Last month, the Supreme Court extended till September 30 the deadline for the special CBI court in Lucknow to deliver the verdict in the Babri Masjid demolition case. The earlier deadline had expired on August 31.