Yogi Adityanath visits Ayodhya for first time after becoming Uttar Pradesh chief minister

A day after charges of criminal conspiracy were levelled against senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Uma Bharti, Murli Manohar Joshi and nine others by CBI court in the Babri Masjid hearing on Tuesday (May 30), Yogi Adityanath visited Ayodhya for the first time on Wednesday after becoming the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

He offered prayers at the Hanumangarhi temple in Lord Rama's birthplace. According to local media reports, Adityanath will also visit the makeshift temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid complex.

Adityanath had paid a visit to BJP stalwarts Advani and others who had come to Lucknow to appear before a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in the Babri Masjid demolition case. But the court rejected their discharge application and held them guilty under the section 120 (B)—Punishment of criminal conspiracy — of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The accused will now move the Allahabad High Court against the CBI court's order.

Meanwhile, the court has granted bail to all the accused by signing a personal bond of Rs. 20,000. "They have been granted bail by signing bonds of Rs. 20,000. We have submitted discharge application. If the court rejects it, then charges will be framed," said lawyer of accused Prashant Atal.

Also, BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmia and Sadhvi Ritambara were summoned to present themselves before the court in person. The judge has said that the court shall not entertain any application for adjournment or exemption from personal appearance.