Babri Masjid case: LK Advani, MM Joshi, Uma Bharti exempted from daily CBI court appearance

A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Wednesday exempted veteran BJP leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi from daily personal appearances during the hearing of the Babri Majid demolition case in view of their age.

Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti, who is also being tried for criminal conspiracy, has also been granted exemption on the ground that her daily appearance could hinder her official work, a court official said.

Daily hearings are on against Advani, Joshi and 12 others over the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

Six other accused have also filed applications seeking exemption from personal appearance but the court is yet to pronounce a verdict.

On 30 May, the CBI court granted them bail on personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each but dismissed the discharge application when the defence counsel sought to quash the criminal conspiracy charges levelled against them.

The court ordered framing of charges under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code against the accused as sought by the CBI.

The special court is conducting daily hearings as mandated by the Supreme Court.