MASSIVE: Supreme Court orders mediation in Ayodhya case, appoints 3-member panel and gives 8-week deadline

Supreme Court on Friday appointed a three-member panel to mediate in Ayodhya title suit case, while prouncing order on court-monitored mediation that it h reserved at end of its hearing on Wednesday. 

panel will be led by retired Supreme Court justice Fakkir Kalifulla and will also comprise Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Sri Ram Panchu.

mediation will take place in Uttar Presh's Faizab and panel has been mandated to complete its mediation in eight weeks - by which time Supreme Court documents pertaining to case will have been translated and put in order with  consent of all concerned parties.

A progress report will have to be submitted to apex court in four weeks. mediation process is to take place in-camera 

A fairly lengthy deliberation h taken place on topic during Wednesday hearing, with justices elaborating on what a mediation could entail. Hindu bodies in case, apart from Nirmohi Akha, h n opposed mediation, while Muslim bodies h backed it.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar h earlier attempted a mediation in dispute, speaking to multiple stakeholders, at end of which a proposal was submitted which would have seen a Ram Mandir being constructed at Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya, while a Mosque would be constructed elsewhere.

deces-old issue is critical in political terms as well, for historical reasons, as well as on account of construction of Ayodhya Ram Mandir being a manifesto promise in BJP's 2014 election manifesto. 

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What 5-member Constitution bench of Supreme Court h said about what mediation could entail, on Wednesday: 

"We are inclined to suggest mediation because it’s t just an issue about that land. It’s an issue of sentiment, faith. We are conscious of gravity of dispute and conscious of impact it will have. It’s t only about land. It’s about mind, hearts and wher any healing is possible" - Justice Bobde

"Outcome of mediation is t something court considers when it orders for court-monitored mediation. A matrimonial dispute that has been referred to for mediation might end up in divorce or might end up in reconciliation. That’s t something court looks into" - Justice Bobde

"If issue is referred for mediation, it’s t going to be one mediator but a panel of mediators" - Justice Bobde

"If mediation is decided upon, details will have to be curtailed from media. It might t be a gag necessarily but motive should be ascertained to anybody involved in mediation process" - Justice Bobde

"Purpose of mediation is to reach a compromise between parties" -  Justice Chandrachud