SC asks UP govt to pass orders in 2 weeks

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Friday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to pass orders within two weeks on extension of tenure of the special judge conducting trial in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case, involving BJP veterans L K Advani, M M Joshi and Uma Bharti.
A bench of justices R F Nariman and Surya Kant said a fresh letter has been written by the special judge on July 27 in which he had made five requests including providing him security.
The bench asked senior advocate Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the state, to consider all the five requests within two-weeks time saying these requests appears to be reasonable.
The apex court had on July 19 extended the special judge’s tenure till the completion of trial and delivery of verdict in the case. However, the state government was yet to pass the order.
He was also asked by the top court to deliver the verdict within nine months.
The top court said the extension of tenure of the special judge, who is set to retire on September 30, will only be for the purpose of concluding the trial and delivering the verdict in the case.
During the extended tenure, he will remain under the administrative control of the Allahabad High Court. (PTI)