Advani records statement in Babri case, day after Joshi's deposition

Senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani recorded his statement in the Babri masjid demolition case, before a special CBI court on Friday (July 24). His statement was recorded via video conferencing in the court of special judge SK Yadav, a day after veteran saffron leader Murli Manohar Joshi’s deposition in the case.

During the 92-year-old Advani’s deposition, his counsels Vimal Kumar Srivasra, KK Mishra and Abhishek Ranjan, as well as CBI lawyers Lalit Singh, P Chakravarti and RK Yadav were present.

On Thursday, dubbing prosecution witnesses in the Babri mosque demolition case as “liars”, Joshi had asserted that he was innocent and implicated in the case by the then Congress government at the Centre. The 86-year-old leader had pleaded innocence while making his statement under section 313 of the CrPC.

The Babri mosque demolition trial is presently at the stage of recording of statements of 32 accused in the case under Section 313 of the CrPC during which they get an opportunity to refute the prosecution evidence against them.

The mosque in Ayodhya was demolished on December 6, 1992, by kar sevaks who claimed that an ancient Ram temple stood at the same site. Advani and Joshi were among those leading the Ram temple movement at that time.

The court is conducting day-to-day hearing in the case to complete its trial by August 31 as directed by the Supreme Court.

(With inputs from agencies)

Related news: Murli Manohar Joshi records statement in Babri mosque demolition case