Babri Masjid demolition: SC seeks UP govt’s response on providing security to Special CBI Judge hearing case

The Supreme Court today sought a response from the State of Uttar Pradesh on the question of providing security to the Special CBI Judge SK Yadav, who is hearing the Babri Masjid demolition case..Judge Yadav is hearing the Babri Masjid demolition case against BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, and Uma Bharti. In a letter written to the Supreme Court, Judge Yadav has raised five points, one of which concerns his protection..The Bench of Justices Rohinton Nariman and Surya Kant said that the concern of security is a valid one in light of the fact that the responsibility on the judge is a big one. The Court thus sought a response on this issue from the State Government, represented by Senior Counsel Aishwarya Bhati..The Court had earlier directed for the tenure of Judge Yadav to be extended till the completion of the trial in the case. The Court today inquired 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..On the last date of hearing, the Supreme Court had set a timeframe for the trial in the Babri Masjid demolition case and stated that the judgment shall be delivered within nine months..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..Judge SK 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.