The special CBI court at Lucknow today ordered framing of charges against senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders LK Advani and Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Union Minister Uma Bharti and nine others in the Ayodhya disputed structure demolition case. <br/><br/>The charges will be framed under criminal conspiracy. During the hearing, all the 12 accused had pleaded not guilty and had moved a discharge application rejecting the charges levelled against them. Special Court judge SK Yadav rejected the plea and ordered framing of charges against them.<br/>'<br/>The court granted bail to BJP and VHP leaders on personal bond of 50 thousand rupees each. Twelve senior BJP and VHP leaders and 22 others appeared before the court and moved their bail applications. After hearing their arguments, the court granted bail to them. BJP leaders have denied of allegations of conspiracy in their bail applications.<br/>'<br/>The Special CBI court is hearing two separate cases relating to the demolition of the disputed structure. It would also frame charges against VHP leaders including Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma alias Prem Ji, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Dharma Das and Satish Pradhan in the second matter. <br/>'<br/>Talking to media, union Minister Uma Bharti said that she had already made it clear that there was no conspiracy in bringing down the structure in December 1992 and that it was an act in anger by a mob. She added that she respected the court and hence was appearing before it.<br/>'<br/>VHP leader Sadhvi Ritambhara also ruled out any conspiracy. She said that the CBI has pressed for conspiracy charges against them so the onus is on them to prove it. Before appearing in the court, BJP MP Sakshi Mahraj said that he has not committed any crime. He reiterated that no one can stop construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya.
News On AIR | May 30, 2017 5:09 PM
Babri Masjid demolition case: LK Advani, MM Joshi, others to face conspiracy charges