New Delhi, Mar 06: A decade after setting up of Liberhan Commission to probe the circumstances leading to the demolition of Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid structure at Ayodhya, it has entered into a crucial phase with final arguments scheduled to commence tomorrow. The Commission, while concluding recording of evidence on January 22, had asked the concerned parties including the Centre to file written submissions before start of the final arguments. None of the party's have so far disclosed their stand for the final arguments.
The Commission headed by Justice M S Liberhan was set up by the Centre ten days after the "destruction of Ram Janma Bhoomi-Babri Masjid structure" at Ayodhya on December 6, 1992 and in its decade-long existence and around 315 sittings, it has recorded statements of 99 witnesses including that of Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and former prime ministers P V Narasimha Rao and V P Singh.
While Advani was allegedly present in Ayodhya, Rao was the prime minsiter when the disputed structure was demolished. Both have appeared before the commission as witnesses.
However, the then Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh refused to depose before the Commission saying that a criminal case on the same issue was pending against him and hence he could not be forced to give evidence prejudicial to himself.
Other prominent personalities who have appeared before the Commission are Union ministers M M Joshi and BJP leader Uma Bharti. Bureau Report