CJI Ranjan Gogoi cancels foreign visit, amid Ayodhya verdict deadline

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has reportedly cancelled his multi-national foreign visit to attend official programmes, sources said on Wednesday. The CJI, who headed a bench on Ayodhya land dispute case in which the judgement was reserved, has cancelled his programme of foreign visits due to some exigencies, they said.

Gogoi, heading the bench of Ayodhya land dispute case, was to travel to some South American countries, Middle East and some other countries to attend some programs before he demits office as CJI on November 17. The sources also said the CJI cancelled the proposed visits before they were finalised.

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Ayodhya land dispute case

Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi said that the hearing in the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid land title dispute will end on Wednesday, which will be the 40th day of the hearing. Gogoi, on Tuesday, said, "Today is the 39th day. Tomorrow is the 40th day and last day of hearing in the case." 

The five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court will be sitting “in chambers” on Thursday, October 16. This comes after they have concluded the marathon hearing in the politically sensitive Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case. The bench heard for 40 days the arguments of the Hindu and the Muslim parties. It granted three days to contesting parties to file written notes on 'moulding of relief'. This means they have to narrow down and write on the issues which the court is required to adjudicate.  

The Apex court issued a notice saying that CJI Ranjan Gogoi and four other judges will sit in chambers, where parties involved are not allowed. The notice said, “Take notice that on Thursday the October 17, the Chief Justice, Justices SA Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer will sit in chambers.” 

The hearing in the case resumed on October 14, after a week-long Dusshera break. The Supreme Court will again be closed for a Diwali break from 27 October to 3 November. Gogoi was sworn in as the 46th CJI on October 3 last year. 

(With PTI inputs) 

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