I've been framed due to political reasons: Ex-Faizabad DM to masjid demolition trial court

Former Faizab District Magistrate R N Srivastava on Friday told a special CBI court holding trial in 1992 Babri masjid demolition case that he has been falsely implicated in case due to political vendetta. Srivastava was district magistrate of erstwhile Faizab, w Ayodhya, when disputed structure was pulled down by a group of agitated ‘kar sevaks’ on December 6, 1992.

Deposing before court of Special Judge S K Yav, Srivastava asserted that he was incent and implicated in case due to political vendetta. Seeking to refute prosecution evidence against him, Srivastava said evidence led by prosecution ncy CBI was fabricated and witnesses acted against him and or accused under political pressure.

Srivastava appeared before court as 20th accused in case and deposed under provisions of section 313 of CrPC, a st which follows recording of prosecution evidence. Under provisions of section 313, an accused is given a chance to refute and explain away prosecution evidence duced against him. Srivastava appeared in court with his counsel I B Singh and Abhisekh Ranjan to make deposition. His deposition, however, could t be completed and ASJ Yav asked him to appear again on Saturday to complete his deposition.

court is yet to record statements of 12 accused including former Deputy Prime Minister L K vani, n Uttar Presh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh and BJP leer Murli Manhoar Joshi. CBI lawyers Lalit Kumar Singh, P Chakravarti and R K Yav were present in court during proceeding.