The Supreme Court is likely to conclude hearing in the much anticipated Ram Janmabhoomi – Babri Masjid title suit on Wednesday. A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi had earlier asked for parties to conclude their arguments in the land dispute case to be concluded by October 17.
Ahead of the final day of the arguments, the historical city of Ayodhya has been turned into a fortress with heightened security. The Ayodhya administration has imposed Section 144 in the area till December 10 in anticipation of the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute verdict which is expected on November 17.
The bench also comprises of Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer, who are hearing appeals against the September 30, 2010, verdict of the Allahabad High Court.
The Allahabad High Court had delivered a judgement to divide the disputed 2.77 acres of land, including the spot where the Babri Masjid stood until December 6, 1992, and the area around it, equally among the Nirmohi Akhara, the Sunni Central Wakf Board, UP, and Ramlalla Virajman.
The Supreme Court has been carrying out day-to-day hearing of the case and the arguments were to be concluded by 18th October but then, October 17 was given the last date for arguments. The Supreme Court had earlier warned that the parties will not be given any extra day. Now it is likely that the arguments will be concluded today.
Chief Justice Gogoi had pointed out that the bench will have just have four weeks to write and deliver the judgment once arguments conclude. “It will be miraculous if the top court can write judgment in the remaining time given the amount of materials parties have given,” he said.
As CJI Gogoi ordered for the earliest completion of the arguments, an early Supreme Court decision on the issue of Ram temple can be expected. Incidentally, the Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi’s term as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will come to end on November 17. Reportedly, there is a possibility that a decision may be taken in the Ram Temple case before the Chief Justice Gogoi retires.
Recently, senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, representing the Muslim parties had gone an apologising spree to the court after another advocate representing Muslim parties – Meenakshi Arora had questioned the ASI report.
The Supreme Court of India had lost its patience with the counsel representing parties in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case and had reprimanded them, particularly Rajeev Dhavan representing the Muslim parties for constantly repeating their arguments. Later, once again Rajiv Dhavan apologised for interrupting the other side from making any arguments.
