The CBI has decided to seek permission from the Rae Bareli special court for removal of the name of the late Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ashok Singhal from the list of accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case after his death. Singhal, 89, who was actively associated with the Ram Mandir agitation, died here on Tuesday following prolonged illness.

Sources said, “The agency will soon move an application before the Rae Bareli special court in this regard. The agency will also attach a copy of his death certificate along with its plea for the removal of his name from the list of accused.”

The other accused in the case include Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, Vinay Katiyar, Uma Bharti, Vishnu Hari Dalmiya and Sadhvi Rithambhara. Singhal, the firebrand leader, was a key architect of a mass campaign that led to religious activists pulling down the disputed structure in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992.