Advani appears before special CBI court in 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 24

A special CBI court on Friday recorded the statement of veteran BJP leader LK Advani in the Babri mosque demolition case.

The statement of the 92-year-old former deputy prime minster was recorded through video conferencing in the court of special Judge S K Yadav.

On Thursday, the court recorded the statement of BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi in the case.

Sources say Home Minister Amit Shah met the 92-year-old along with a team of lawyers. Advani along with Joshi and other saffron leaders, including Uma Bharti, are accused in the case related to the razing of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya.

The hearing comes before the 'shilaniyas' of the Ram temple on August 5 at Ayodhya which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to attend.

Several controversies have erupted around the ceremony, some political and some pertaining to religious sentiments.

Apparently, some saints and seers have declared as "inauspicious" the date and time for the 'bhoomi poojan' --2.15 pm on August 5.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is  one of the invitees to the ceremony. However, former NCP MP Majeed Memon has said that head of a secular democracy should refrain from promoting a "particular religious activity".

Thackeray is heading a Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP coalition government.

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Pro Tem Speaker Rameshwar Sharma has claimed that the construction of the Ram temple would destroy coronavirus, according to reports.

The 16th century Babri Masjid was pulled down on December 6, 1992, by Hindu activists who believed it was built on an ancient temple marking the birthplace of Lord Ram.