The Supreme Court on Friday, 19 July, asked the special judge conducting trial in the politically sensitive 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case, involving BJP veterans such as LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, to deliver the verdict within nine months from Friday.
A bench of Justices RF Nariman and Surya Kant said the recording of evidence in the case should be completed within six months.
The bench also directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pass appropriate orders within four weeks to extend the tenure of the special judge, who is set to retire on 30 September.
The top court said the extension of tenure of the special judge will only be for the purpose of concluding the trial and delivering the verdict in the case.