Issues involved in the Ayodhya title suit
29 Sep 2010
A judgement by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on the Ayodhya title suit is expected to address a large number of issues. But, first a brief history of the various suits filed over a large period of time.
Status: Currently, the Centre is the statutory receiver of all the disputed 67.7 acres of land through the Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Act 1993 pending settlement of the land title dispute. This is the position since 7 January 1993.
As it is not party to the case the Centre cannot challenge any verdict before the Supreme Court. It, however, has powers to enact a law to undo a court order.
As one of the defendants the Uttar Pradesh government can challenge the verdict and seek status quo. In which case the Centre may be bound to attach itself to any such petition moved before the Supreme Court.
The litigants: There are five title suits before the court.
The Hindu Mahsabha's late Gopal Singh Visharad and Paramhansa Ramchandra Das, who were the first two people to file the title suits in 1950, are now represented in the case by their son Rajenda Singh Visharad and disciple Mahant Ram Das respectively.
Other litigants to the dispute are the Nirmohi Akhara, which filed the third suit in December 1959 and wishes to assume control of the property.