Ayodhya Case Hearing: Muslims Weren’t Allowed To Enter Structure Since 1934, Nirmohi Akhara Tells Supreme Court

The Nirmohi Akhara on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that no Muslims were allowed to enter the disputed structure in Ayodhya since 1934 as it was in its exclusive possession.

The Supreme Court is conducting daily hearings in the Ayodhya case after efforts to arrive at an amicable solution through mediation failed. The apex court has rejected Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideologue KN Govindacharya plea seeking recording of the Ayodhya case proceedings.

A five-judge constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and comprising justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and SA Nazeer, was told by Senior Advocate Sushil Jain, appearing for the Nirmohi Akhara, that they were seeking management and possession of the disputed Ayodhya land.

The Nirmohi Akhara's suit was basically for belongings, possession and management rights. "I am a registered body. My suit is basically for belongings, possession and management rights," said Jain, adding that the Nirmohi Akhara was in possession of the inner courtyard and the Ram Janmasthan for hundreds of years.

"We were in possession of the inner courtyard and the Ram Janmasthan for hundreds of years. The outer courtyard having 'Sita Rasoi', 'Chabutra', 'Bhandar Grah' was in our possession and it was never a part of dispute in any case," the senior advocate told the Supreme Court bench.

The Ayodhya case hearing also witnessed a heated exchange of words between the bench and senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, who was appearing for a Muslim party.

While the bench was asking the Nirmohi Akhara's counsel to confine his arguments to the civil dispute and skip reading some written statements, Dhavan interfered and said perhaps there would not be any curtailment of arguments.

The Chief Justice said the hearing or the arguments would not be curtailed in any manner and there should be no doubt in anybody's mind about it.

Dhavan again said that is what he was saying and made some statement.

At this, the Chief Justice said, "Dr Dhavan, keep the dignity of the court."

Dhavan said he had only replied to some questions.

"Please keep it in mind that you are an officer of the court, and all we are saying is that we are not going to curtail anybody's arguments,” said the bench.

During the hearing, the Nirmohi Akhara's counsel claimed right over the disputed 2.77-acre Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land and said they had been possessing, managing and worshipping Ram Lalla at the site since time immemorial.

"In any case, you have been given one-third of the disputed area in the preliminary decree by the high court," the bench told the Nirmohi Akhara's counsel.

Fourteen appeals have been filed in the Supreme Court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among the three parties—the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

On Dec. 6, 1992, the Babri Masjid, constructed at the disputed site in the 16th century by Shia Muslim Mir Baqi, was demolished.