NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday advised all parties in the Ayodhya dispute case to settle the case amicably as it involves sentiments of both parties and should be dealt sensitively as both religion and faith are associated.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India J S Khehar while hearing the plea of senior BJP leader Subramaniam Swamy for early hearing the case, said, “It's a sensitive issue...religious issue...parties should sit together and try to resolve it.”
Its been five years after the Allahabad High court verdict that Hindus have the right to the makeshift temple under the central dome of the Babri Masjid on September 30, 2010 and since then appeals from both sides are pending in the apex court.
CJI says he is ready to mediate if both the parties want it or if the parties agree he can assign an SC judge to mediate in Ayodhya dispute.
He also made it clear that says if he or any other judge mediates between the parties, the judge would not be part of bench that hears it later.
However, Swamy said, “Swamy said that there had been numerous attempts for a negotiated settlement and that now judicial intervention is required in the issue.”
Swamy had approached the court to fix early date of hearing in the case as pleadings in the main case are already complete.
The bench ask Swamy to mention the case again on March 31 when it will decide whether to attempt mediation or not.
During the hearing, Swamy tells court that ASI confirmed that Babri Masjid was built on a temple and Allahabad High Court too had accepted the fact.
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Swamy also shown the bench Centre's 1994 affidavit which clearly states that if there was a pre-existing temple, it would hand over the land to Hindus and stated that Muslims can build a mosque across the Sarayu river.
On February 26, the apex court had allowed Swamy to intervene in the pending matters relating to the Ayodhya title dispute with his plea seeking construction of Ram temple at the site of demolished disputed structure.