Babri mosque trial: 14th accused records statement

Lucknow, June 22

A special court hearing the Babri mosque demolition case on Monday recorded the statement of the 14th of the 32 accused of pulling down the mosque in Ayodhya in 1992.

The statements are being recorded by the special court here under Section 313 of the CrPC, a stage in the trial that follows the examination of prosecution witnesses.

On Monday, it recorded the statement of Dharmendra Singh Gurjar.

Another accused, Dharmadas, also appeared before it but his statement could not be recorded due to lack of time. The court will continue its proceedings on Tuesday as well.

Special judge SK Yadav directed his office to send a letter to the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to make arrangements at the homes of the nine accused who wish to record their statements through video-conferencing.

The nine include former deputy prime minister LK Advani, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh and former union minister MM Joshi.

The order on video-conferencing was issued on Saturday, but could not be delivered on Sunday.

According to the original schedule, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, who heads the trust charged with the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, was to appear before the court on Tuesday through video conferencing.

The special court has been conducting day to day proceedings in order to conclude the trial by August 31, as directed by the Supreme Court.

The Babri Masjid was demolished in December 1992 by “kar sevaks” who claimed that the mosque in Ayodhya was built on the site of an ancient Ram temple. PTI