Ayodhya case verdict: The questions Supreme Court may consider

The Supreme Court will deliver its much-awaited verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi- Babri Masjid land dispute case on Saturday at 10.30 am. A five-judge constitution bench after its marathon 40-day-hearing had reserved the verdict on October 16. Apart from Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi who is set to demit office on November 17, the bench comprises incoming CJI SA Bobde, Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Abdul Naseer. The apex court will deliver a verdict on 14 appeals. Even as we wait for the verdict, here are the questions before the top court that may be considered before pronouncement of the verdict. 

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1. Whether disputed structure qualifies as a Mosque?

2. Whether absence of some features like minarets makes it not qualify as a Mosque? 

3. What is the historicity of the Mosque? 

4. When was it built? Who built the disputed structure - Babur or Aurangzeb? 

5. Does the Muslim side prove its ownership?

6. With what documents?  

7. Does it successfully prove the disputed structure as a Waqf property? 

8. Does Muslim side prove its ownership by adverse possession?

9. Does it prove that the disputed structure remained in continuous possession of their side for over 400 yrs? Did Namaz take place without interruption in this period? 

10. Between Ram Lala Virajman and Nirmohi Akhada who gets ownership from Hindu side?

11. Does Shia Wakf get any say over Muslim side claims? 

12. Whether law of limitation applies to Hindu claims? 

13. Whether Ram is a living God who can exist beyond/without an idol? 

14. Whether any divinity can be associated with Ayodhya as birthplace of Ram? 

15. Whether with its association with divinity, a temple is inalienable to Hindu right to pray?

16. Whether a Mosque is only a place of worship and hence not essential to practice is Islam? 

17. Whether a temple existed before the Mosque at the site? 

18. Whether medieval historical accounts should be taken as evidence to arrive at judgement? 

19. Whether only post-independence modern law should be used to arrive at the verdict? 

20. Whether Nirmohi Akhada has rights of Sevait (devotee) over the site? 

21. Whether admitting rights of Akhada as a devotee gives Hindu side right of permissive possession? 

22. Whether under Islamic law two religious places can coexist at the same plot of land? 

Ayodhya dispute: All parties submit written arguments to Supreme Court

Security arrangement in Ayodhya

Ahead of the verdict, security in Ayodhya has been beefed up. So far, 18,000 police officers, 3,000 state Rapid Action Force staff and 4,000 Central forces have been deployed to maintain law and order. All government and private colleges and schools have been shut in Uttar Pradesh till November 11, announced UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Friday night. Section 144 has been imposed in parts of Ayodhya. According to sources, State Chief Secretary and UP DGP themselves will be on ground zero to monitor the situation. The District Magistrate will be taking an hourly update directly from the Chief Minister's Office. Moreover, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will remain in a 'ready to move' position. Apart from this, 9 helicopters have been arranged for urgent movement basis while 3 separate choppers will be made available for aerial monitoring. Drones are being used in sensitive areas to monitor any spurious activity.

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