The verdict in the Babri Masjid title suit by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court is not expected to have any impact on two criminal cases pending since 1993 against the perpetrators of the Babri Masjid demolition.
The Central Bureau of Investigation registered these cases (Case No. 197 and Case No. 198 of 1993), which are being heard before courts in Lucknow and Rae Bareli.
The first is against kar sewaks, the foot soldiers who were directly involved in the demolition. The high court has stayed proceedings in this case.
The second case involves senior BJP leaders and other top functionaries of allied organisations like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal —such as L.K. Advani, M.M. Joshi, Uma Bharti, Vinay Katiyar, Ashok Singhal, Giriraj Kishore, Vishu Hari Dalmia and Sadhvi Rithambara.
The cross examination of several leaders has been completed, but the case is proceeding slowly.