CJI Ranjan Gogoi meets top UP officials ahead of Ayodhya verdict

Ahead of verdict of politically sensitive Ayodhya land dispute case, sources on Friday informed that Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi is slated to meet top officers in Uttar Pradesh at on. Sources said that meeting is pertaining to maintenance of law and order situation after apex court anunces verdict. Sources also said that CJI wants to ascertain state's security preparedness ahead of verdict and will be meeting UP Chief Secretary and Director General of Police.

Security beefed up before verdict

Various security measures are being taken ahead of crucial Ayodhya verdict. In Ayodhya, District Magistrate prohibited messs regarding case on social media and posters that could disturb communal harmony. Earlier, various Muslim groups also urged everyone to maintain peace after verdict. On Tuesday, RSS leaders and Muslim clerics met at residence of Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and urged all to respect SC's verdict. Additionally, railway police on Thursday issued a seven-p advisory to all its zones giving m a slew of instructions on security preparedness.

READ: Ayodhya verdict: DM prohibits messs & posters about land dispute

Supreme Court reserves verdict

Supreme Court on October 16, reserved verdict Ram Janmabhoomi- Babri Masjid land dispute case. bench of apex court headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, and comprising of SC judges Justices S.A. Bopde, D.Y. Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan, S. Abdul Nazeer reserved verdict. court reserved verdict after marathon day-to-day hearing in case.

READ: Ayodhya verdict: Spiritual leader urges to maintain restraint

Mediation panel formed to solve dispute

apex court had earlier this year formed a mediation panel to solve -old dispute.  panel consisted of Justice FMI Kalifulla, Senior advocate Sriram Panchu, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. panel was made for 8-week and Uttar Pradesh's Faizabad was set as location where mediation would be held. eight-week deadline for mediation talks were completed on May 3. However, deadline was extended and apex court on July 18 asked mediation committee to continue process and submit a report on progress till July 31.

READ: Ayodhya verdict: Muslim groups say SC's decision should be respected

Mediation panel failed, day-to-day hearing began

On August 2, CJI Ranjan Gogoi declared that Ayodhya mediation panel failed to come to a settlement. He declared that day-to-day hearings would start from August 6. Even after repeated appeals from both parties against day-to-day hearing, apex court continued process. 

READ | Before Ayodhya verdict, RSS & Muslim clerics meet at Naqvi's residence