A five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Wednesday commenced hearing on Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case.
The judges of the bench are Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi.
The bench has asked the contesting parties to explore the possibility of amicably settling the decades old dispute through mediation, saying it may help in “healing relations”.
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SC reserves order on mediation
SC reserves order on whether or not to refer Ayodhya land dispute for mediation even as Hindu parties, in exception of Nirmohi Akhara, opposing it while the Muslim parties supporting it.
UP opposes mediation
Uttar Pradesh opposes mediation, says it’s for the court to decide on the legality of whether mediation can bre ordered or not.
We are open to mediation: Rajeev Dhawan, lawyer of Muslim parties
Advocate Rajeev Dhavan, who is appearing for a group of Muslim petitioners in the case, asks bench to frame terms for mediation; says, “Muslim petitioners are agreeable to mediation & any compromise or settlement will bind parties.”
Purpose of mediation is eventual compromise: Justice Chandrachud
Justice DY Chandrachud also says that the purpose of mediation is eventually there shall be a compromise .. effectively dispose of the dispute ; once suit assumes a representative character .. there can’t be any compromise to the suit.
“Can’t undo, but we are trying to mediate,” says SC
Justice SA Bobde, one of the five senior judges hearing the case, said: “Don’t tell us about history, we also know history. We cannot undo who invades, what Babar may have done, who was king at the time, whether there was a mosque or temple…”
Hindu Mahasabha argues that “Hindus not ready for mediation”
“Hindus are not ready for any mediation. It’s a deity property and nobody has the right to mediate . For us it’s a sentimental issue. Do not refer the matter to mediation. We are waiting for outcome of result since 1950.”
The Supreme Court on February 26 had said it would pass an order today on whether to refer the matter to a court-appointed mediator.