In a decision that may revive proceedings against him, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Tuesday issued notice to former deputy prime minister Lal Kishenchand Advani to appear before it on February 25 in connection with the Babri Masjid demolition case.
Giving his order on a criminal revision petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation and former Faizabad district magistrate R N Srivastava, Justice M A Khan also issued notices to former Union ministers Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders Ashok Singhal, Vishnu Hari Dalmiya and Giriraj Kishore and Shiv Sena leader Moreswar Save.
The twin petitions were filed against the May 2001 order of the special trial court in Lucknow, which had dropped proceedings in the Ayodhya case against 21 respondents, including Advani and Joshi.
One of the respondents, Ramchandra Paramhans, is no more.
The HC on Tuesday the CBI to get the notices published through newspaper advertisements.
Earlier, 12 of the respondents had represented through their counsels. Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh's counsel appeared on his behalf.e next hearing in the case will be held on February 25.
