Liberhan panel ends recording of evidence

Fourteen years after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, the Liberhan Commission today closed the recording of evidence, barring an application seeking to summon former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The commission, whose extended term expires on June 31, closed the proceedings with the conclusion of the deposition of its key witness Kalyan Singh during whose tenure as Chief Minister, the medieval monument was razed on December 6, 1992.

Concluding his deposition, Singh parried a question whether there was a conspiracy by the BJP and VHP with the backing of the P V Narasimha Rao-led Congress government to demolish the disputed structure at Ayodhya.

‘‘It is our tradition not to speak against the dead and I will not like to say anything adverse against Rao,’’ he said.