Babri Case: Vinay Katiyar Twice Sent IPS Anju Gupta Away from Dais

Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Anju Gupta, who said that senior BJP leader LK Advani made a provocative speech in Ayodhya shortly before the disputed structure was razed down by Kar Sevaks, has told a CBI court that BJP leader Vinay Katiyar twice sent her away from the dais, said media reports.

Gupta, Advani’s personal security officer at the time of incidence, made the statement while responding to queries by defence counsel during the hearing of the Babri Mosque demolition case, reports said.

She said that when she reached the Ram Katha Kunj manch (dais), where BJP leaders like Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharati, Sadhvi Ritambhara were present, Katiyar asked her to go to the police control room and change the direction of Advani’s convoy, said reports.

She said that after her return, she was again asked by Katiyar to go to the control room and bring Advani’s car, reports said.

Gupta also said during the deposition that she didn’t know about any Supreme Court order permitting symbolic ‘kar seva’ at the disputed structure on December 6, 2002, said reports.

She said that she only knew that the apex court had prohibited from performing ‘kar seva’ to construct the temple, reports said.

Defence counsel H D Sharma cross-examined her for almost two hours before special CBI court judge Gulab Singh.

The next hearing will take place on June 8.

(Based on internet reports)