Finding nothing wrong in the decision of shifting the trial pending against L K Advani and several other senior BJP and VHP leaders in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case from a special court of Rae Bareli to Lucknow, the Supreme Court today refused to review it.

A Bench headed by CJI K G Balakrishnan dismissed a petition and applications seeking review of its verdict allowing trial of cases before two separate courts at Rae Bareli and Lucknow. “We are of the opinion that the earlier order passed by this court dismissing the Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) does not require any reconsideration,” the Bench, also comprising Justices G P Mathur and R V Raveendran, said in a much awaited judgment. It was reserved on August 29 2006.

“There is no error apparent on the face of the record nor do the facts and circumstances warrant any interference with our earlier order,” Justice Balakrishnan said.

The Bench said the petitions seeking review of its November 29, 2002 order by which it had upheld the validity of the notification issued by the UP Government on September 28, 2002 for holding the trial of the cases at two different places “are without any merit and dismissed accordingly”.

The Rae Bareli court is holding trial against eight prominent accused, including senior BJP leaders L K Advani, M M Joshi and Vinay Katiyar, expelled BJP leader Uma Bharati, VHP leaders Ashok Singhal, Vishnu Hari Dalmiya, Giriraj Kishore and Sadhwi Rithambhara.