Police had inputs about attack on Babri Mosque: IPS Officer

Senior IPS officer Anju Gupta comes out after deposing before a special Rae Bareli court in connection with the Babri Masjid demolition case on Friday. Photo: PTI

A senior IPS officer, who was a personal security officer of BJP leader L. K. Advani in Ayodhya, told a special court that Faizabad Police had intelligence inputs that an attempt could be made to harm the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.

During cross-examination by the defence in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Gulab Singh here, Anju Gupta, a 1990 batch IPS officer, said she had attended a review meeting convened by Inspector General of Police, Faizabad, A. K. Saran on December 5, the day before the structure was demolished.

To specific queries from the defence, Ms. Gupta said Mr. Saran had stated during the 40-45 minute long meeting that according to the intelligence inputs, the threats were at two levels.

The inputs had suggested that people who had gathered there could attempt an attack on the disputed structure and that operatives of Pakistan’s ISI could also disturb the law and order situation in Ayodhya, she said.

During her deposition before the court on March 26, Ms. Gupta had stated that Mr. Advani had given a provocative speech in Ayodhya moments before the mosque was demolished by Sangh Parivar activists.

“On December 6, 1992, Mr. Advani made a spirited speech from Ram Katha Kunj manch (dais), barely 150-200 metres from the disputed site which charged the people. He repeatedly said that the temple would be constructed at the same site,” Ms. Gupta had said.

Ms. Gupta, who was the personal security officer of Mr. Advani in Ayodhya on the fateful day on December 6, is appearing as a prosecution witness in the Special CBI Court in the case in which Mr. Advani and BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and other Sangh Parivar leaders have been accused of inciting violence that led to the demolition.

Now posted with the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in Delhi, she had said that Mr. Joshi, Ms. Bharti, another BJP leader Vinay Katiyar and Sadhvi Rithambhara also made provocative speeches.

Mr. Advani, a former deputy prime minister, was discharged in the case in 2002 after conspiracy charge was dropped. But, three years later the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court reinstated the charges of intentionally provoking people into rioting, arson and indulging in rioting with intent to create disorder as well as creating discord among communities.

Ms. Gupta, who was then posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Faizabad, was on special duty entrusted with the security of Mr. Advani.