Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said the BJP believed in the innocence of its important leaders in the Babri Masjid demolition case, stating that they would face trial as per the process of law.
‘It’s imaginary’
Mr. Prasad dismissed as “imaginary” a query from the media on whether the Supreme Court order reviving criminal conspiracy charges impacted the possible candidature of L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi in the coming presidential and vice-presidential elections.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Law Minister said the court had earlier decided that the trial against the BJP leaders would be carried in Rae Bareily and that the one pertaining to conspiracy and other serious criminal charges against lakhs of unknown “kar sevaks” would be conducted in a Lucknow CBI court.
The Supreme Court had now decided to club them together.
As directed by the Supreme Court, on a CBI plea, Mr. Advani, Dr. Joshi and Union Minister Uma Bharti will be tried for alleged criminal conspiracy.
ADVERTISEMENT
Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, the then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, enjoys constitutional immunity, and therefore, he can be tried only after he ceases to hold the office.