Advani, Joshi, other BJP leaders get bail in Babri case, seek discharge

BJP leaders L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi and 10 others accused in the Babri Masjid demolition on Tuesday moved the CBI court here seeking their discharge in the case before they were granted bail.

The defence counsel moved a "discharge application" in which the accused claimed not guilty in the December 1992 razing of the mosque at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier, CBI judge S K Yadav had asked BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmia and a one-time firebrand Hindutva preacher Sadhvi Ritambara to appear before the court in person. The judge had said no application for adjournment or exemption from personal appearance shall be entertained.

The court, which granted bail on personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each, is now dictating the order on the discharge application, lawyers said.

The court was to frame charges against the accused in the case on Tuesday.