Babri Masjid demolition: Judgment to be delivered in nine months, Supreme Court

The Supreme Court today set a timeframe for the trial in the Babri Masjid demolition case and stated that the judgment shall be delivered within nine months..The Special Judge hearing the criminal case against BJP leaders LK Advani, Uma Bharti, and Kalyan Singh had written to the Supreme Court stating that he has made substantial progress in the trial in the last two years..However, the Special Judge is scheduled to superannuate on September 30, the Court was informed today by Senior Counsel Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the State of Uttar Pradesh. It was submitted that his tenure should be extended. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also agreed with the suggestion to extend the tenure of the Special Judge..The Court today reiterated its order of 2017 in the case and added that the recording of evidence of the prosecution and the defence is to be completed within a period of six months. The oral arguments should be kept to a bare minimum, but the same shall be supplemented with written submissions which shall be prepared well in advance, it ordered..The Bench of Justices Rohinton Nariman and Surya Kant further added,.“Judgment in this case, should be ready and delivered maximum within a period of nine months from now.”.As regards the extension of tenure of the Special Judge, the Court directed the State of Uttar Pradesh to pass necessary orders in consultation with the High Court within a period of four weeks. During this extended period, the Special Judge shall remain under the administrative control of the High Court, the Apex Court further ordered..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..Additional District & Sessions Judge Surendra Kumar Yadav, who is hearing the Babri Masjid demolition case, approached the Supreme Court seeking promotion. He had also submitted a plan to finish the proceedings by April 2019..Read the Order: