Ayodhya case: Mediators file settlement report even as SC hearing ends

Mediation panel of Justice FMI Kalifulla, Senior advocate Sriram Panchu, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar filed a settlement report before the Supreme Court. Earlier on Wednesday, in a sensational twist in the politically sensitive case, the Sunni Waqf board surrendered its claim over the disputed land in Ayodhya. The decision came in light of an agreement reached between a few parties during the mediation proceedings, at the final leg of the hearing on the 2.77 acres disputed land.

As per reports, the mediators would submit a new report before the Supreme Court intimidating an "agreement" reached between a few parties in the contentious Ayodhya case.

On September 19, the Sunni Waqf Board had welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to pave the way for the mediation panel to resume talks over the Ayodhya land dispute. The Sunni Board releasing a press brief on its stance on the issue stated that a mutual amicable settlement will be beneficial for both the communities.

Supreme Court had, in July, asked the mediation panel to submit a final report on the mediation between the two parties, and in case if that fails, the apex court would begin daily hearing of the case. The mediation did not plan out and the Supreme Court thus went ahead with the day-to-day hearing. The hearings started on August 6, 2019, and a five-judge bench presided over the meetings. The Apex court has asked for mediation panels to work on a solution on multiple occasions even during the proceedings, but a solution could not be reached between the parties.

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Heated Arguments

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday saw sharp exchanges between the lawyers representing Hindu and Muslim parties during the proceedings in the politically sensitive Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case. A 5-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi was hearing arguments of former Attorney General and senior advocate K Parasaran, appearing for a Hindu party. He was responding to the lawsuit filed by the Sunni Wakf Board and others in 1961 to seek claim over the disputed site.

Section 144 of the CRPC has been imposed across Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya district since October 14 as the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute is at its last leg.

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