'This suit is for belongings and management rights', counsel of Nirmohi Akhara claims rights over 2.77 acre Ram Janmabhoomi

New Delhi, August 06: After the slated mediation panel comprising of former Supreme Court judge Justice FMI Kalifulla, spiritualist Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and Senior Advocate Sriram Panchu failed to arrive at an amicable settlement in the politically sensitive case of Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute in Ayodhya, the Supreme Court on Tuesday commenced its hearing.

 

 

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.also comprising of Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer, had on August 2 taken note of the report of the three member mediation panel, which went on for about four months had not resulted in any final settlement.

 

Commencing the argument in relation, Counsel of Nirmohi Akhara said that its suit was basically for belongings, possession and management rights. “After demolition of December 1992 the structures inside the temple were also demolished by mischievous elements. In 1961 suit by the wakf board was filed. The suit was only for the inner courtyard. Attachment order of 1959 was only for the inner courtyard after the property was sent to the government receiver”, the counsel said.

 

"The Muslim sides have admitted that last prayer was offered at the mosque on Dec 16, 1959. Till 1934, they were offering regular prayer and after that, even Friday prayers were not offered”, it added claiming rights over disputed 2.77 acre Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land.

 

The dispute involves 2.77 acres of land in Ayodhya, where a 16th Century mosque said to have been built by Mughal emperor Babur once stood. In December 1992, Hindu activists leveled the land demanding a temple that marked the birthplace of Lord Ram.