New Delhi, May 3
The Supreme Court gave a split verdict on confirming the convictions against five persons in connection with a murder during communal riots after the demolition of Babri Masjid. In view of the differences of opinion between Justices S B Sinha and H S Bedi, the matter has now been placed before the Chief Justice of India for referring the case to larger bench.

Though Justice S B Sinha ordered the acquittal of the five convicted persons, Justice H S Bedi while accusing the country’s police machinery of being “anti-minority” has confirmed the life imprisonment imposed on the accused Harendra Sarkar and four others. The accused had earlier been convicted by a trial court for committing the murder of Sahera Khatoon and her two daughters in Assam on December 14, 1992. — PTI