Ayodhya case: SC condemns threats received by Muslim board lawyer

In a major development in the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case, the Supreme Court took cognisance of the statements made lawyer representing the Muslim parties in the case. Senior lawyer Rajeev Dhavan alleged that he has been receiving threat messages for appearing in the case. Taking note of his submissions in the Supreme Court, CJI Ranjan Gogoi condemned the threats, asserting that it should not be happening. 

"This has to be deprecated. This is something which should not be happening," a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said in the matter. 

Rajeev Dhavan, who has been appearing for the Sunni Waqf Board and other Muslim parties, claimed that he has been getting threats on social media for appearing in the case. The senior lawyer also alleged his clerk was assaulted by a few other persons in the apex court premises. He added that these things should happen in the Supreme Court, urging the bench to take note in the matter. The bench hearing the case was headed by CJI Rajan Gogoi, comprising of justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer.

READ | Ayodhya case: 'Idol installed after planned attack',says Rajeev Dhawan

SC takes notice of threats

Earlier in September, the Supreme Court sought responses from two persons for allegedly threatening senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan. The lawyer had filed a contempt petition against two persons: N Shanmugam, a retired education officer, and Sanjay Kalal Bajrangi, a Rajasthan resident for threatening. He had alleged that he received a letter on August 14 from Shanmugam, threatening him for appearing for Muslim parties in the Ayodhya case. In his plea, Dhavan had also stated that he received a WhatsApp message from Bajrangi, asserting that it is an attempt to interfere with the administration of justice. He had alleged that he has been accosted both at home and in the court premises. 

READ | Ayodhya: SC notices to 2 for threatening senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan

Day-to-day hearing in Ayodhya case

On August 2, in a massive setback to the Ayodhya land dispute, CJI Ranjan Gogoi declared that the Ayodhya mediation panel failed to arrive at a conclusion. He announced day-to-day hearings to start from August 6. The three-member Ayodhya mediation panel-led by retired Supreme Court justice Fakkir Kalifulla and also comprises Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Sri Ram Panchu submitted its status report to the Supreme Court in a sealed cover. Meanwhile, the top court on Friday said a plea seeking live telecast or recording of the ongoing proceedings in the Ayodhya land dispute case be listed before the SC bench.

READ | List before CJI plea for telecast or recording of Ayodhya case: SC

READ | Ayodhya is a matter of faith, history: Hindu arguments in SC

(With PTI inputs)