NEW DELHI, Jan 18: The Allahabad High Court issued notice to Lal Kishan Advani to appear before it on Feb 25 in connection with the Babri Masjid demolition case. The move could revive criminal proceedings against the Indian opposition leader.

Giving his order on a criminal revision petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation, Justice M.A. Khan also issued notices to former Union ministers Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders Ashok Singhal and Vishnu Hari Dalmiya.

The petition was filed against the May 2001 order of the special trial court in Lucknow, which had dropped proceedings in the Ayodhya case against 21 respondents, including Mr Advani and Mr Joshi.

The court had sent a notice to Mr Advani and other BJP leaders last November. But they did not respond. The court has now asked for the summons to be hand-delivered to the former deputy prime minister.