Sj Desk
New Delhi: The five judges bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, on Saturday, pronounced the historical verdict in the Babri Masjid-Ram Temple Land Dispute Case. SC ordered the construction of Ram Temple at the disputed land and simultaneously ordered allotment of 5 acres land for construction of mosque at a prominent place in Ayodhya.
The bench, also comprising Justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer, said possession of the disputed 2.77-acre land rights would be handed over to the deity Ram Lalla, who is one of the three litigants in the case. The possession, however, will remain with a central government receiver.
HIGHLIGHTS OF SC VERDICT
- Nirmohi Akhara to be given place in the trust to be formed by the central government
- Five-acre land to be allotted to Sunni Central Wakf Board in Ayodhya
- SC tells Centre to formulate a scheme, set up a board of trustees and hand over inner and outer courtyards to the trust
- SC says the Allahabad HC verdict giving land to Sunni Wakf Board and Nirmohi Akhara was wrong
- Muslims have not been able to establish their exclusive rights over the disputed site: SC
- Prior to 1856 there was no bar on Hindus worshipping at the inner courtyard: SC
- There is evidence that Ram Chabutra and Sita Rasoi were worshipped by Hindus before the British arrived.
- Act of placing the idol below the central dome of the disputed structure on the intervening night of December 22 and 23 was challenged after the expiry of limitation period. Hence, it's time-barred: SC
- SC says Hindus believe that Lord Ram was born at the disputed site and it has not been disputed. Even Sunni witnesses have deposed in its favour
- However, the ASI report was not clear as to if a temple was destroyed to build the mosque, says SC
- SC relies on Archeological Survey of India report. Says foundation of the mosque and the underlying structure was of 12th century AD of Hindu origin
Earlier, in a bid to combat all worst possibilities, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi had a meeting with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Rajendra Kumar Tiwari and Director General of Police (DGP) Om Prakash Singh ahead of delivering the historical verdict in the infamous Ayodhya land dispute case.
Senior IPS and Director General Prosecution, Ashutosh Pandey have been given the charge to monitor the law and order situation in Ayodhya.
Other Precautionary Measures Taken Ahead of the Verdict
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the state's top civil and police officials, divisional commissioners and district magistrates in a late-night video conference.
- Two choppers will be on standby in Lucknow and Ayodhya to keep a watch on anti-social activities.
- The officials of the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) are camping in Ayodhya.
- A state-level control room will be set up in the Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow.
- Security to be beefed up on all religious places in the state.
- Eight schools across the state have been transformed into temporary jails.
- Social media platforms will be kept in a strict vigil.
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has appealed everyone neither to celebrate, nor to oppose the Supreme Court verdict.
- Senior officials have been asked to stay on ground duties on the verdict day.
- Muslims clerics have approached Imams of mosques to advise people of the community to maintain peace and harmony post the Supreme Court verdict, irrespective of in whose favour it would be.
