HIGHLIGHTS
- The Supreme Court is delivering the much-awaited verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case. The apex court has directed for the allotment of alternative land to Muslims to build new mosque. SC says Centre will formulate a scheme in 3 months to set up a board of trustees for construction of temple at the disputed structure.
*With the SC directing setting up of the Trust to construct Ram temple at the disputed site, it virtually ousts VHP-backed Ram Janmasthan Nyas from the temple activities.
*SC appreciates role of mediators Justice Kalifulla, ace mediator Sriram Panchu and Sri Ravishankar who came very close to settlement.
*Centre will hand over the disputed site to the Board of trustees for construction of temple at disputed site and a suitable alternative plot of land measuring 5 acres at Ayodhya will be given to Sunni Wakf Board. In the scheme by Board of trustees, appropriate representation be given to Nirmohi Akhara, says Supreme Court.
*SC orders allotment of alternative land to Muslims for setting up of a mosque while decreeing the disputed site in suit 5 filed by Deity. SC says Centre will formulate a scheme in 3 months to set up a board of trustees for construction of temple at the disputed structure.
*Sunni Wakf board failed to make claim on adverse possession over the mosque as it remained a contested site between Hindus and Muslims, it says.
*Destruction of mosque in 1992 happened in breach of SC order, it says.
*For 325 years from construction of the mosque till 1857, Muslims have given no evidence of they offering prayers at the disputed structure innexclusion of Hindus, it says.
*SC says though there were obstructions Muslims continued to offer namaz inside the inner courtyard. So, the Muslims have not abandoned the mosque, it says. But documents show that prior to 1857 Hindus were not barred from worshipping in the inner courtyard. The railings segregating the outer and inner courtyard was made in 1857, it says. But Hindus always believed that the birthplace of Ram was in the inner courtyard of the mosque, Says SC.
*It is clearly established that while Muslims offered prayer inside the inner courtyard while the same was done by Hindus in the outer court yard, it says.
*Mere existence of a structure beneath the mosque cannot lead to a title today even if the SC finds that it was a Hindu temple, SC says.
*Act of placing idols inside the central dome in December 22-23, 1949 has been challenged by Sunni Wakf Board. SC says Sunni Wakf Board’s suit is maintainable.
*SC must be circumspect in drawing negative inference on what the travellers did not see, it says.
*Accounts of travellers and historians mention about faith of Hindus that the place is birthplace of Lord Ram is mentioned. The account of travellers has to be read with circumspection, it says.
*Whether belief and faith is justified is beyond the ken of judicial scrutiny, says SC.
*Faith and belief of Ayodhya being birthplace of Ram is undisputed so as that of Muslims to worship at the mosque, the apex court says.
*Title of the land can be decided only on legal evidence, SC says.
*There is adequate material for ASI to come to the conclusion that Babri Masjid was not built on vacant land, says SC.
* ASI credential is beyond doubt and it’s findings cannot be neglected, says CJI.
*Places of Worship Act reaffirms commitment of India to protect the interest all religious community, says CJI.
*It is inappropriate for court to get into area of theology, says CJI
*SC dismisses plea of Shia Waqf Board against Sunni Board on claim to Babri Masjid.
*The judgement is unanimous, says CJI.
*All five judges put their signature on the judgement.
*CJI Ranjan Gogoi is reading out the verdict.
*Supreme Court to announce Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case verdict at 10.30 am.
* Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Supreme Court verdict in Ayodhya case on Saturday will not be a victory or defeat for anyone and urged people to ensure that the judgment gives strength to India’s tradition of peace, unity and amity.
“The Supreme Court’s verdict on Ayodhya is coming tomorrow. For the past few months, the Supreme Court was hearing the matter and the entire country was watching it with curiosity. During this time, efforts made by various sections to maintain peace and harmony are quite praiseworthy,” he said.
* Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute was a title suit — ownership of land — between Hindus and the Muslim parties over 2.77 acre of land. The Hindu parties claim that the disputed site is the birthplace of Lord Ram which was demolished in 1528 by Mughal emperor Babur who constructed the Babri Masjid.
* There are three parties fighting the case in the Supreme Court, namely, Ram Lalla Virajman, Nirmohi Akhara and Sunni Waqf Board. The Nirmohi Akhara has been the shebait – manager of devasthan- of the Lord historically. The Sunni Waqf Board is the representative of the Muslim parties. And the deity, Ram Lalla, came into the litigation in 1989 through next best friend Deoki Nandan Agarwal, a former judge of the Allahabad high court who later joined the VHP.
