Babri demolition case: SC may order joint trial of Advani, Joshi and others

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed displeasure at the Babri Masjid demolition case dragging on for 25 years, and said it may order a joint trial of senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and other accused, in a Lucknow court.

According to the Indian Express, stating that delay leads to 'evasion of justice', the court also said it may hear the matter on a daily basis.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) earlier on Thursday told the Supreme Court that conspiracy charges against Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and others in the Babri Masjid demolition case must be revived.

The lawyer appearing for CBI said that 195 witnesses had already been examined in the Lucknow trial court, and 300 more were to be examined.

The CBI further said that in Rai Bareilly court, 57 witnesses had already been examined and 100 or more are likely to be examined.

The CBI submitted that the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad HC had upheld the lower court’s order in the case, and that criminal conspiracy charges were dropped against 21 accused, including several BJP leaders only on technical grounds.

The apex court had last month said that it would determine on April 6 whether charges could be framed against Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and 13 other BJP and VHP leaders