Finish Babri trial by Aug 31, SC tells CBI court

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday directed a special CBI court in Lucknow to wrap up hearing and deliver its verdict by August 31 in the trial against senior BJP members L K Advani, M M Joshi and Uma Bharti besides some others in the Babri Masjid demolition case.
The apex court had in July last year fixed the deadline of April 18 for the trial court to complete the proceedings but the judge had sought extension of time.
Granting more time to complete the trial, a bench of Justices R F Nariman and Surya Kant asked district and sessions judge Surendra Kumar Yadav to finish the task by the end of August.
In April 2017, the SC had directed joint trial against all accused, including the top BJP members, allegedly involved in Babri Masjid demolition.