Tuesday, December 21 2004 21:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Lucknow: The CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) told the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court today (Dec 21, 2004) that "provocative speeches" by eight leaders, including L K Advani, M M Joshi and Uma Bharti, worked as an "encouragement" to the Kar Sewaks to pull down the disputed structure at Ayodhya.

CBI counsel P K Chaubey, while arguing the case, stated that Bharti kept reminding the people, through the public address system at the demolition of each dome, of BJP's (Bharatiya Janata Party) promise to build the Ram temple for "cheap political gain".

He quoted the statements of the witnesses Iqbal, Hashim Ansari, Munna, Mohd. Shubrati, Mobinullah and a lady journalist, Renu Mittal to highlight that all the eight leaders remained present at the Ram Katha kunaj from 10.00-18.30 hrs till the structure was pulled down.

On the demolition of each of the domes, sweets were distributed among the saints and their followers present there to celebrate their achievement, he contended.

Terming the address by these leaders on the loud speakers as "provocative speeches," the CBI counsel said that it worked as an "encouragement" for the Kar Sewaks who pulled down the structure in response.

After hearing the arguments, the court fixed January 5 as the next date of hearing on the criminal revisions challenging the special Rae Bareli Court order discharging Advani in the Ayodhya demolition case while issuing summoning orders against seven others, including former Union Minister Joshi.

Justice Y R Tripathi passed the order on the revision petitions filed by Joshi, Bharti, Vinay Katiyar, Sadhvi Rithambara, Ashok Singhal and V H Dalmiya seeking directions for dropping the proceedings against them as had been done in the case of Advani.