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Proceedings against Joshi stayed
Lucknow, Sept 30: In a major relief to Union HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi, the Allahabad High Court today stayed the framing of charges against him in the Babri Masjid demolition case by the special court at Rae Bareli. BJP`s reaction
The court ordered that till then the proceedings at the special court against Joshi shall remain stayed.
The court passed the order after hearing at length the
defence and the CBI counsels. The court asked for the case
diary and relevant records pertaining to Joshi.
Defence counsel Mridul Rakesh told reporters outside the
court that although the court did not use the word `stay` in
its order the fact that it has stayed framing of charges
against Joshi meant that proceedings against him shall
remain stayed till the final disposal of his revision
petition.
On being asked about the status of other six accused,
Rakesh said that they could also approach the High Court for
similar relief if they so desired.
When asked whether the CBI could also move the High Court
and challenge the verdict of the special court at Rae Bareli,
Rakesh said the CBI could "try to create obstacles in our
Way”.
Mahipal Ahluwalia, another defence counsel for Joshi, BJP
leaders Uma Bharti and Vinay Katiyar, said that so far Katiyar
and Bharti had not contacted him for moving the High Court.
He, however, indicated that similar petitions by other
six accused including Katiyar, Bharti, VHP leaders Ashok
Singhal, Giriraj Kishore, Vishnu Hari Dalmiya and Sadhvi
Ritambhara were expected in the next couple of days.
The special Rae Bareli court had, while discharging
Deputy Prime Minister L.K.Advani, ordered framing of charges
against the rest and directed them to appear personally on
October 10 next.
Joshi, who had resigned in wake of the trial court`s
order, yesterday filed a criminal revision petition
challenging the verdict of the special court to seek a stay
on its proceedings.
He had also sought the quashing of the trial court order
of framing of charges against him.
Bureau Report