SC pulls up CBI for ‘delays’ in Babri case

The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up CBI for its submission that the Babri Masjid demolition case was a ‘national crime’ and said the agency should not qualify it till the case was decided by the courts.

The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up CBI for its submission that the Babri Masjid demolition case was a ‘national crime’ and said the agency should not qualify it till the case was decided by the courts.

Justice HL Dattu said, “Please don't say that it is a national crime or a matter of national importance. We are yet to decide it. Until we or trial court decide this way or other, you can't make such statements.” The bench also slammed the CBI for delaying the proceedings before SC.

The court is hearing the agency’s appeal against Allahabad HC order discharging senior BJP and VHP leaders of criminal conspiracy.

On May 21, 2010, the HC’s verdict had dropped conspiracy charges against BJP leaders LK Advani, Kalyan Singh, Uma Bharti, Vinay Katiyar and Murli Manohar Joshi.

According to CBI counsel PP Rao, the HC had erred in discharging the leaders, who were involved in a "national conspiracy" reflected in the Rath Yatra. At the same time he sought adjournment of the case on grounds that CBI was to file documents that were referred to in the verdicts of the special court and high court.