Lucknow: In a significant move, special judge (CBI) S K Shukla hearing Ayodhya demolition cases on Monday rejected the exemption from attendance applications of 47 of the 49 accused persons and directed them to appear in person on September 15 next for framing of charges.

The 49 include Union Home Minister L K Advani, Union Human Resource Development Minister M M Joshi, Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Kalyan Singh.

Judge S K Shukla recently replaced J P Srivastava, who was transferred.

Only one of the accused, Satish Nagar, appeared in person on Monday. Another, Laxmi Narain Mahatyagi, is the only one to get a stay order from the high court.

UNI

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