In the most awaited verdict on the Babri demolition case, a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Lucknow has acquitted all 32 accused including former Union Minister Murli Manohar Joshi, former MP CM Uma Bharti, former deputy Prime Minister LK Advani. The court has released them citing lack of conclusive proof.
According to defence lawyer KK Mishra, “They have been acquitted for lack of evidence.” The court called the demolition of the mosque unplanned and spontaneous.
Twenty-six out of 32 accused including Lallu Singh, Pawan Pandey, Vinay Katiyar and Dharamdas appeared in the court before 10.30 in the morning. Out of the remaining leaders, LK Advani, Joshi and co-accused Nritya Gopal Das are above 80 years of age whereas Satish Pardhan and Uma Bharti are admitted in hospital due to health issues.
After the pronouncement of verdict by the special court, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath said ‘Satyamev Jayate’ in his statement and added, “The then Congress government acted with political bias, indulged in vote bank politics, defamed the BJP and VHP leaders, saints and other social organisations by lodging false cases on them. The people involved in the conspiracy should now apologise to the country.”
All the accused BJP leaders welcomed the verdict, “I wholeheartedly welcome the judgement by the special court in Babri Masjid demolition case. The judgement vindicates my personal and BJP’s belief and commitment toward the Ram Janmabhoomi movement,” said LK Advani.
While Defense Minister of India, Rajnath Singh tweeted, “I welcome the acquittal of all the 32 accused in the case.This shows, that though delayed, justice eventually triumphed.”
Maharashtra Minister and NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik through a video message said, “The court has given verdict in the case today. It was expected, and hence, we are not surprised.”
AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi also reacted to the judgement while calling it obnoxious. “This judgement satisfies the collective consciousness of hindutva and its followers and ideology,” he stated.