Ayodhya case: Advani, Joshi, 12 others file affidavits

Ahead of the January 16 hearing in Supreme Court, 14 BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders including LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi on Friday filed their affidavits in response to CBI appeal challenging Allahabad high court verdict upholding their discharge in the criminal case registered in connection with the 1992 Ayodhya demolition.

Ahead of the January 16 hearing in Supreme Court, 14 BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders including LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi on Friday filed their affidavits in response to CBI appeal challenging Allahabad high court verdict upholding their discharge in the criminal case registered in connection with the 1992 Ayodhya demolition.

Then UP chief minister Kalyan Singh has sought dismissal of the CBI’s appeal on the ground that there has been an inordinate delay in filing it.

He further claimed that the HC judgment was delivered in true spirit and that there was no illegality in the order.

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Other leaders have filed an identical response to the CBI affidavit.

The apex court had in March 2011 issued notices to 21 leaders after CBI contended that the HC had not come to the right conclusion and that the charges of criminal conspiracy should be restored against them.

The HC had on May 20 2010 dismissed the agency's plea seeking revival of criminal conspiracy charges against top BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders which also included Ashok Singhal, Giriraj Kishore, Vinay Katiyar, Vishnu Hari Dalmiya, Sadhvi Rithambara, Mahant Avaidya Nath and Uma Bharti.