Babri Masjid Demolition case: Extension of Special Judge’s tenure notified by UP govt, SC disposes of matter

The Supreme Court today disposed of the matter related to the extension of tenure of the Special Judge holding the trial in the Babri Masjid Demolition case against several senior BJP leaders..In April 2017, the Supreme Court allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to frame charges against eight BJP leaders including LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti for criminal conspiracy in the Babri Masjid Demolition case. The Court had directed that the trial conclude within two years, and also ordered that the judge hearing the case not be transferred..In light of this order, it had directed for the the tenure of Special Judge SK Yadav to be extended after his retirement, till the completion of the trial..While directing for the tenure to be extended, the Court had also set a timeframe for the completion of the trial and had taken the security of the judge into consideration, noting that the case was a sensitive one..Previously, the Supreme Court had set a timeframe for the trial in the Babri Masjid Demolition case and directed that the judgment be delivered within nine months..On the last date of hearing, the Bench enquired about the status of the process. The State submitted that approvals for the same were in place, but sought time to issue a notification in that regard. The Court went on to direct the State to issue the notification within a period of two weeks..Today, the Court took on record the affidavit filed by the State of Uttar Pradesh pointing out that all of Court’s orders in this regard have been complied with. The Bench of Justices Rohinton Nariman and Surya Kant said,.“We take the affidavit and office memo filed on record. According to the memo, the compliance with our order is complete. we are satisfied that the needful has been done.”.The matter, therefore, stands disposed of..Bar & Bench is available on WhatsApp. For real-time updates on stories, Click here to subscribe to our WhatsApp.