Writ challenging CBI's role as prosecutor dismissed

Lucknow, Aug 30 (UNI) Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court today dismissed a writ petition challenging the CBI authority to prosecute in the Ayodhya demolition case.

The petitioner Moreshwar Save had contended that CBI was an investigating agency and as such not authorised to prosecute the accused.

A CBI revision petition challenging the exoneration of former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani and 20 others in the Ayodhya demolition case is already pending before the HC.

The CBI had challenged the special additional sessions judge (Ayodhya case) order exonerating Advani, former union minister Murli Manohar Joshi, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh, Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackarey and Moreshwar Save.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had demanded these 21 people be also prosecuted in the case.

However, Save submitted an application opposing the central agency's revision petition. He challenged the role of CBI as the prosecution agency in the case.

UNI XC/VS YA HT1750