The Supreme Court commenced the hearing on Ram-Janambhoomi Babri Masjid land dispute case on Tuesday, 26 February, reported by PTI. A petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday, 4 February, challenging the constitutional validity of the 1993 Central law on land acquisition in Ayodhya.
Earlier on 3 February, BJP President Amit Shah had termed the Modi government's move to return the excess land around the disputed site in Ayodhya to their owners "historic".
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and right-wing outfit Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday, 29 January, welcomed the Centre’s move to approach the Supreme Court for returning undisputed land around Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya to the owners. However, the Nirmohi Akhara disapproved the move and said politics was at play in this matter.
- The central government in 1991 had acquired the 67 acre-land around the disputed site
- The Centre seeks for a modification of the Supreme Court order dated 31 March 2003, which had said the status quo must be maintained for the entire area
- The Centre notes that it will ensure whoever eventually gets the title for the disputed land will be given access to the site
- Earlier, the apex court had ordered that the status quo be maintained with regard to the acquired 67 acre of land around the disputed site
- The hearing of the Supreme Court, scheduled for 29 January, was deferred as Justice SA Bobde was not available
- The five-judge Constitution Bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi includes Justices DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan , Abdul Nazeer and SA Bobde
We're Giving Chance For Mediation: SC
The SC observed, "It’s not a dispute over private property. It has become so contentious. We're seriously giving a chance for mediation." Justice Bobde says on mediation, "even if there is only 1% chance, it should explored".
The dispute is arising between parties over translation of documents, said CJI. Advocate Dhavan said he will have to check veracity of translated documents.
The apex court asked parties to show order by which they had agreed to translated documents filed by UP government.
Senior Advocate C S Vaidyanathan for Ram Lalla said translations were verified and accepted by all parties in December 2017.
“We are not going to waste our time if disputes are going to be raised over translation of documents,” CJI said.
“Orders were passed to examine UP govt translations and now two years later they raise objections to it,” said Vaidyanathan.
SC Refers to Copies of Report by Secy General
The SC referred to copies of report filed by Secretary General on status of documents, sealed records of case.
CJI asked the lawyers of both sides to peruse the report of Secretary General of SC on status of documents. “If translations of documents are now acceptable to all, parties cannot contest translations once proceedings begin,” the apex court said.
The apex court said it can proceed with hearing if there is consensus with regard to translation of documents. Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, representing a Muslim party, says he is yet to examine translation of documents.
Hearing in the Dispute Case Begins in SC
The Supreme Court commenced the hearing on politically sensitive Ram-Janambhoomi Babri Masjid land dispute case.
Plea in SC Challenging Validity of Govt’s Ayodhya Land Acquisition
A petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday, 4 February, challenging the constitutional validity of the 1993 Central law on land acquisition in Ayodhya, near the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site.