JOIN USThe appointment paves the way for the resumption of the trial which came to a halt five months back following the transfer of Special Magistrate Gulab Singh.
According to the lawyers associated with the cases, the next date of hearing in the matter has been fixed for October 26.
There are currently two cases pending trial in connection with the demolition of the disputed structure – one at the Raebarelli Special Court and the other with the special judge (Ayodhya Prakaran) at Lucknow.
The Raebarelli Special Court will hear charges like inciting violence, creating enmity among different groups on religious grounds, unlawful assembly and delivering provocative speeches. Senior BJP leaders
L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Vinay Katiyar and VHP cadres Ashok Singhal, Giriraj Kishore and three others are accused in the case.
The second case in regard to the demolition of the disputed structure is currently pending trial with the special judge (Ayodhya Prakaran) at Lucknow. Former Faizabad police chief D B Rai and BJP legislator from Ayodhya Lallo Singh are among the 23 accused in the case. Lawyers told Deccan Herald that the case at Lucknow mainly harps on the conspiracy angle behind the razing down of the mosque. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has completed its probe in both the cases and has filed chargesheet in the matter and the courts are currently recording the evidence.
Several witnesses, including senior IPS officer Anju Gupta, who was Advani’s personal security officer when the disputed structure was demolished, has already deposed before the Raebarelli court on behalf of the CBI.
However, the lawyers associated with the temple-mosque ownership cases have already made it clear that the verdict of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court would have no impact on the demolition cases.