The Supreme Court on November 9, 2019 pronounced its judgement on Ayodhya Ram Janma Bhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case. The security arrangements were tightened across the country before the pronouncement of the verdict. Section 144 was imposed in UP, Delhi and other states. Also schools and educational institutions were closed for the safety of the students.
SC verdict
Supreme Court cleared way for the construction of Ram Temple in the disputed 5-acre land. The court said that the Hindu side established their arguments that they possessed the outer courtyard. The Muslim side failed to prove the possession. It directed the center to allot 5-acre land to the Sunni Waqf Board for the construction of a mosque.
The verdict was pronounced by a 5 judge bench headed by the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. The bench also comprised of justices Ashok Bhushan, S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud and S Abdul Nazeer. In a verdict 5-0, all the justices stood unanimous.
Timeline of Ayodhya Land Dispute
- 1885: First Suit filed by Mahanth Raghubar Das to construct Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
- 1949: Idols of Lord Ram found in side Babri Masjid.
- Between 1950 and 1990 5 other suits were filed both by Hindu and Muslim religious organizations
- 1992: Babri Masjid was demolished by dozens of right-wing activists.
- 2010: The Allahabad High Court pronounced a judgement that divided the disputed land among three litigants namely Nirmohi Akhara, Sunni Waqf Board and Ram Lalla.