A three judge bench including CJI Dipak Misra heard the Ram Janmabhoomi case today. In its earlier remarks it had clarified that the case would be heard solely as a land dispute.
As a result, the apex court disallowed any new interventions in the case. It has also discouraged a couple of lawyers who wanted a ‘secular solution‘ to the matter.
The CJI rejected all intervening petitions. The persons who sought to intervene include the film maker Shyam Benegal and controversial ‘activist’ Teesta Setalvad. Shyam Benegal had suggested that a national monument could be constructed in the site in his earlier remarks to media.
News agency ANI placed the number of intervening petitions that were rejected at 32:
#Ayodhya matter:The Supreme Court dismissed as many as 32 intervention applications in the case including those of Aparna Sen, Shyam Benegal, and Teesta Setalvad
— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2018
The plea by Subramanian Swamy to consider his fundamental right to worship was admitted. Swamy tweeted that he now had a fast track channel. Any citizen has the right to directly approach the Supreme court if he/she feels that his/her fundamental rights are affected under the article 32
Supreme Court revived my WP on Ram Temple and allowed me to pursue the WP in another court. This Means I have a fast track channel now
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) March 14, 2018
This move by the Supreme Court to reject all intervening petitions will ensure that any new petitioners will not enter the scene and delay the Ram Janmabhoomi case further.