Ram Janma Bhoomi – Judgement pending

In the Historical Ramjanmabhoomi – Babri Masjid suit, the Allahabad high court full bench completed hearing and reserved the Judgement. Judgement expected by September end.

Lucknow – July 26, 2010: In the most awaited Ramjanmabhoomi Babri Masjid title suits, Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court – completed hearing and reserved the judgement. The three judge full Bench is of Justice S.U. Khan, Justice D. V. Sharma and Justice Sudhir Agarwal. As Justice D. V. Sharma is due to retire by the end of September, it is therefore likely, that the judgement may be pronounced before the end of September.

 Going out of the way the High court today i.e. on Monday, July 26th, 2010 continued its hearing till 7 pm in the evening. The court directed the concerned parties in advance, that it is going to complete the hearing today itself at any cost and asked to complete their arguments. The court also directed parties to submit their written arguments before 30th of July 2010.

 It can be noted that, by the Supreme Court’s direction the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court is hearing the original case of Ramjanma Bhoomi – Babri Masjid since 1996. Four suites are pending in the court.Three suites from Hindus and one from Muslims. First suit was filed by a Hindu worshipper in January 1950 praying relief for uninterrupted Darshan and Puja. The second suite was filed by the Nirmohi Akhara of Ramanand sect in 1959 praying removal of the receiver and demanding the complete charge of management of Darshan and Puja for it self. The third suit was filed in December 1961 by Sunni Muslim waqf board with a prayer that the disputed structure be declared as a public Mosque and possession be given to the Wakf board by removing the Idols and other Puja articles. The last and the fourth suit was filed in July 1989 by a retired High Court Judge on behalf of the Ramlala Virajman itself making the Ramlala as plaintiff. All the suits were clubbed for joint hearing. Later on the suits were transferred to Luck now bench of Allahabad High Court for a speedy trail.

 After demolition of the so called Babri structure by the angry Karsevaks on 6th December 1992, the Central Government acquired 67 Acres of land surrounding the disputed site. The acquisition was challenged by some Muslims in the Supreme Court. At the same time the then President of India referred a Question to the apex court under Art. 143 of the constitution .The question was “whether there was any Hindu structure prior to 1528 A.D., at the site where the disputed structure was stood?” The Supreme Court heard the petitions for about 20 months and delivered its judgement in October 1994. The judgement was – 1. The acquisition is valid, 2. The Presidential reference respectfully returned unanswered. 3. All the pending suits related to the dispute be revived.

In the light of the above order the three Judges full bench of the Allahabad High court started its hearing . Issues were reframed. Oral evidence started in1996 and continued till 2003.

The High Court bench opined that the question asked by the Hon. President is the core issue of the dispute and to get the answer for this, the court ordered Radar Survey of the site. Further to verify the survey report court ordered for a scientific excavation, which was done by Archaeological Survey of India. Now the report is with the court’s records.

Final arguments by the counsels started in 2006 and concluded today at 7.00 pm on 26th of July 2010.