Welcoming the Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court’s verdict in the Babri Masjid demolition case on Wednesday, veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani said the judgment vindicated his personal and party’s commitment towards the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The court acquitted all 32 accused, including Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti for the lack of evidence.

“It is a moment of happiness for all of us, we chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ after court verdict,” news agency PTI quoted Advani, as saying.

I wholeheartedly welcome the judgment by the Special Court in Babri Masjid demolition case. The judgment vindicates my personal and BJP’s belief and commitment toward the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, the 92-year-old leader told ANI.

Joshi also welcomed the verdict describing it as ‘historic’.

“It’s a historic decision by the court. This proves that no conspiracy was hatched for December 6 incident in Ayodhya. Our program and rallies were not part of any conspiracy. We are happy, everyone should now be excited about Ram Mandir’s construction,” he said.

Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh, during whose tenure the 15th century Babri masjid was demolished by a mob, Vinay Katiyar and Sadhvi Rithambara were among the accused who were acquitted in the case by CBI judge SK Yadav.

The court observed that the demolition of the mosque was not pre-planned and that the audio, video evidences produced by the CBI were not conclusive enough.