Date:10/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/10/stories/2004011005201100.htm

National

Joshi, Uma exempted from court appearance

RAE BARELI, JAN. 9. The special CBI court hearing the Babri Masjid demolition case here exempted seven accused, including the Union Human Resource Minister, Murli Manohar Joshi, and the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Uma Bharti, from personal appearance in the court for today and fixed February 24 for next hearing.

Counsels of the seven accused submitted an application in the court of the Special Magistrate, Vinod Kumar Singh, seeking exemption from personal appearance for today, which the court granted.

The seven leaders had moved the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court against the special court's decision of framing of charges against them in the Babri Masjid demolition case. — PTI