The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday deferred hearing in the Ayodhya case to March 5. The top court, in its observation, said that it may order mediation for the amicable resolution of the Ayodhya title issue.
“It’s not a dispute over private property. It has become so contentious. We’re seriously giving a chance for mediation,” Justice Bobde said adding, “Even if there is only 1% chance, it should be explored.”
The Muslim side agreed and accepted the court’s reflection. They noted that the mediation for the resolution of the dispute and regular hearing on the petition challenging 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment will go on concurrently. However, the suggestion was not accepted by the lawyers appearing for the Hindu parties.
The five-judge constitutional bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, suggested mediation of the issue in the course of the hearing of a batch of cross petitions challenging the 2010 Allahabad High Court verdict to divide the disputed site in three parts, giving one each to the Nirmohi Akhada, Ram Lalla and the original Muslim litigants.
As many as 14 appeals have been filed in the apex court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment.