Will furnish evidence to prove innocence: Accused in Babri Masjid demolition case

NEW DELHI: The accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case have informed the trial court that they would furnish “documentary evidence” to prove their “innocence”.

The special CBI court last week concluded recording of the statements of 31 of the 32 accused. All the accused have denied involvement in the demolition of the mosque.

The accused last Friday moved an application seeking 15 days to furnish documentary evidence after perusing court records of the trial. They sought certified copies of certain documents produced by the prosecution. The court has granted them seven days and listed the matter for resumed hearing on August 4.

The accused are yet to furnish a list of the witnesses they may produce in their defence. As per available information, the accused will first furnish documents in their defence and may later supply a list of witnesses to testify the documents, said people with direct knowledge of the matter.

The Supreme Court on May 8 had ordered that the special court trial be concluded and the verdict pronounced by August 31. After going through the evidence to be produced by the defence, the court will examine defence witnesses, if any. The case will then be slotted for final arguments, after which the court will pronounce its verdict.

In response to questions put by the court, former deputy prime minister LK Advani, who is an accused, has denied involvement in the demolition of the mosque. Advani has claimed that he had been falsely implicated and that the case was politically motivated.

Another co-accused and BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi has also denied involvement in the case. He, last month, had informed the court that he would produce witnesses in his defence to prove his innocence.

The court last week declared one of the accused, Om Prakash Pandey, an absconder after the CBI failed to trace him. The court, last month, had issued arrest warrants against Pandey, who is said to have become a monk around 15 years ago.

The court had also initiated proceedings to attach his properties. However, the agency is yet to furnish a list of properties which can be attached by the court as punitive action and to secure Pandey's presence.