As many as 23 files and not just seven as reported, relating to the Babri Masjid dispute, were missing in the Uttar Pradesh Government’s records, according to an affidavit submitted by Chief Secretary Atul Gupta to the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on July 7. According to official records, the files were last taken away by an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the state Home Department’s Communalism Control Cell way back in the nineties. The official later died in an accident. The Bench had directed the government to produce seven documents on an application of the Sunni Wakf Board, the main Muslim party to the dispute. The application was moved way back in 2002. The Bench, consisting of Justices Rafat Alam, Sudhir Agrawal and D V Sharma, asked the government to explain what action it had taken. When the government failed to produce the documents despite repeated directions, the Court summoned the Chief Secretary. Gupta submitted an affidavit along with a letter from the Home Secretary informing the Principal Secretary (General Administration) that 23 files kept at the Communalism Control Cell of the state Home Department were missing.
23 KEY BABRI FILES MISSING
As many as 23 files and not just seven as reported, relating to the Babri Masjid dispute, were missing in the Uttar Pradesh Government’s records, according to an affidavit submitted by Chief Secretary Atul Gupta to the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on July 7.
