Babri masjid
Hindu militants storm a disputed mosque-temple site December 6, 1992 climbing atop the building's dome as they demolish it to clear the site for a Hindu temple. [Representational Image]Reuters

Charges of criminal conspiracy were framed against senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Uma Bharti, Murli Manohar Joshi and nine others by a special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday, May 30, in connection with the Babri Masjid demolition case of 1992.

Several Hindu extremists had demolished the centuries-old Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992. Over 3,000 people lost their lives in the large-scale communal violence that followed the mosque's demolition. The demolition was the high point of a festering dispute between Hindus and Muslims. The Hindus believed that Mughal emperor Babur had demolished a temple at the site which is considered to be the birthplace of Hindu god Ram.

Here are the LIVE updates:

3:40pm IST: Uma Bharti and Joshi leave the court.

2:58 pm IST: In addition to Section 120(b) of the IPC, the accused have also been charged under Sections 153 (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 153A, 295 (Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), 295A and 505 (Statements conducing to public mischief).

2:50 pm IST: Advani, Uma Bharti, Joshi and othes have been charged with criminal conspiracy. Charges framed under Section 120(b) (punishment of criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

2:45 pm IST: The CBI Special Court has rejected the discharge application of the 12 accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case. The court has said that charges will be framed against the accused.

"The discharge application has been rejected by the trial court. This was expected as the case happened on the directions of the Supreme Court, we will also move the High Court," lawyer Akhilesh Awasthi said.

2:20 pm IST: "These are big people, they are RSS and BJP people... But we respect what the court has said," Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was quoted by News18 as saying.

1:48 pm IST: "They had been called for framing charges. Bail being granted was expected. In such cases no one is sent behind bar," Convenor of Babari Masjid Action committee Zafaryab Jilani said.

1:44 pm IST: "There is nothing in the case. No masjid was demolished as there was no masjid. I see no reason for Uma Bharti ji to resign," Subamaniam Swamy was quoted by News18 as saying.

1:33 pm IST:

1:30 pm IST: Big relief for Advani, Joshi, Bharti and others as the Special CBI Court grants bail to all 12 accused on personal bond of Rs 50,000. The judgement has been reserved on discharge application.

1:20 pm IST: Signatures have been given by the accused.

1:05 pm IST: "There are so many crimes that have happened even from before 1992 that are still pending. I will request the Supreme Court to have daily hearing for other cases as well. He added, saying, "This is a wastage of time, nothing has happened since 1992," Sakshi Maharaj was quoted by News18 as saying.

12:50 pm IST: BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj was quoted by PTI as saying that "no power on earth" could stop the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya.

12:45 pm IST: Court proceedings begin. Joshi, Advani and others present in court.

12:22 pm IST:

12:10 pm IST: The Special CBI court has convened. Counsels and judges will now begin proceedings to frame charges against the accused.

Meanwhile, the meeting between CM Yogi Adityanath and BJP leaders is still underway at the VVIP guesthouse, News18 reported. A team of lawyers is also present in the meeting.

11:25 am IST: "They (BJP leaders) are innocent. They will come out clean. The opposition always has some falsehood to say. I am sure the conspiracy will not stand," I&B Minister Venkaiah Naidu told reporters.

11:14 am IST:

11:04 am IST:

10:44 am IST:

10:43 am IST:

10:35 am IST: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will meet Advani and Joshi in Lucknow before the two leaders leave for the court. 

10:15 am IST:

10 am IST: "I do not consider myself to be a criminal as I participated in it with my full effort. The case is related to god, my expectation is also from the god," Uma Bharti told reporters.

9:30 am IST: In April 2017, the CBI had challenged before the SC the Allahabad High Court's decision to withdraw conspiracy charges against the senior BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders in the Babri Masjid demolition case. 

The apex court has ordered that no judge hearing the Babri Masjid demolition case will be transferred till the verdict is announced. The bench had further asked the CBI to club the two cases pending in the Rae Bareilly and Lucknow courts and to conduct a joint trial in Lucknow following the revival of criminal conspiracy charges against the leaders.

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