SC asks report from judge over April deadline for Babri demolition case

New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday asked for a report from the Additional District Judge, Lucknow, holding the trial in Babri Masjid demolition conspiracy case, as to how a trial in the case would be completed in two years as ordered by the apex court on April 19, 2017.

The top court in its 2017 order had revived the conspiracy charge in the Babri Masjid demolition case against senior BJP leaders L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, Union Minister Uma Bharti, and others.

The Supreme Court in 2017 had directed that there "shall be no transfer of the judge conducting the trial until the entire trial concludes."

The top court also wanted the trial court judge to deliver judgment within two years from the date of receipt of its judgment.

On Monday, a Supreme Court bench sought Uttar Pradesh government's response in a sealed cover on the plea by the trial court judge relating to his promotion, now stalled, as District and Session Judge.

The trial court judge in his application before the top court has said that he along with 11 others was promoted as District and Session Judge and was posted to Budaun district. But following the April 19, 2017 order of the top court, his promotion, and transfer orders were rescinded.