Ayodhya verdict today [LIVE]: Internet shuts down in Agra, Aligarh; UP-Nepal border sealed

New Delhi: After 70 years of legal battle, the Supreme Court will pronounce the judgment in the communally sensitive Ayodhya land dispute case at 10.30 am on Saturday, a non-working day for courts. The notice regarding the judgment was uploaded on the apex court’s website late Friday evening.

On October 16, a five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and comprising Chief Justice-designate Justice SA Bobde, Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice SA Nazeer, had reserved its judgement on the matter after 40 days of the daily hearing. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political leaders have appealed to the people to respect the SC verdict in Ayodhya case.

In its 2010 judgment, the Allahabad High Court had given the directive to equally divide the disputed 2.77 acre land between Ram Lalla Virajman, Nirmohi Akhara and Sunni Waqf Board. Fourteen pleas were filed in the SC in four civil suits.

9:15 am: Ahead of the landmark verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged everyone to accept the apex court's judgement. "Let us continue to live in peace and harmony. The spirit of brotherhood is the hallmark of our secular fabric," Patnaik said.

9:09 am: Additional Director General of Police (Prosecution) UP Police, Ashutosh Pandey, said devotees are visiting the temple of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. "There are no restrictions on visiting the temple.  All markets are open, the situation is completely normal."

9:02 am: Delhi Police Joint CP security, ID Shukla, assured that appropriate security measures are in place in the national capital with the help of paramilitary force. "There is no question of any mishappening, be it the security of Supreme Court, High Court or the security of a VIP-VVIP, it cannot be breached."

8:55 am: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to Twitter to urge people to maintain peace and calm. Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, Priyanka said it was the responsibility of people to maintain unity and social harmony.  

8:51 am: The Uttar Pradesh government has set up temporary prisons in every district while security has been beefed up in Ayodhya and its adjoining areas. The state government has identified 31 districts as sensitive.

8:45 am: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat will address a press conference at 1 pm today, following the Supreme Court's judgment in Ayodhya land case. 

8:40 am: "We have taken confidence-building measures. We did around 10,000 meetings across the state with religious leaders and citizens. We are appealing to people of the state to not spread rumours on social media," said Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police OP Singh. He added that paramilitary forces have been deployed in Ayodhya, "aerial surveillance is being done. Intelligence machinery has been geared up, random checks are also taking place. An ADG-rank officer has been deployed in Ayodhya to keep an eye on operations."

8:35 am: Section 144 of CrPC (prohibits the assembly of more than 4 people in an area) has been imposed in Jaisalmer till November 30, 2019, ahead of the Ayodhya verdict.

8:30 am: The Uttar Pradesh-Nepal border has been sealed ahead of the pronouncement of Ayodhya verdict. The decision to seal the border was taken following a meeting of top officials with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath around Friday midnight. According to Additional Chief Secretary for Home, Avanish Awasthi, no one would be permitted to move along the sensitive border without proper identity.

8:25 am: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh this morning reviewed the state’s law and order situation, and urged people to remain calm under all circumstances. As per an official spokesperson, the Punjab CM asked police and other agencies to keep an eye on suspected trouble-makers.

8:20 am: Internet services in Uttar Pradesh cities - Aligarh and Agra - have been shut down ahead of the SC verdict. Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police OP Singh has, meanwhile, said: "Our social media cells are keeping a constant watch on 673 people active on Internet whose post or comments can trigger trouble. Our policemen have identified potential threats and hotspots at district, police station and locality levels. We have also identified 31 sensitive districts such as Agra, Aligarh, Meerut, Moradabad, Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur and others to maintain rule of law."

8:10 am: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa tweeted: "As the supreme Court gives its verdict on #Ayodhya case today, let us accept it with equanimity. Let us respect the Constitution and the Judiciary system of the nation. Let us be committed to maintain peace and harmony in the society."

8:05 am: Union Transport Minister and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari expressed "full faith in our judiciary". He further made an appeal to people to "accept the Supreme Court's verdict and maintain peace". 

8:00 am: Elaborate security arrangements are in place ahead of the SC verdict in the emotive issue. Five hundred policemen and paramilitary forces are being deployed outside the apex court. Security has also been intensified at Jama Masjid.

7:55 am: Mahant Satyendra Das, the chief of the Ram Lalla Virajman, appeals to "all to respect the Supreme Court verdict and maintain peace. Prime Minister has rightly said that the Ayodhya verdict will not be anyone’s loss or victory."

7:40 am: The Himachal Pradesh Police have issued a stern warning against the circulation of fake news, doctored videos, morphed pictures, or any inflammatory material in view of the SC verdict in the Ayodhya case. "Everyone is requested to not forward any such posts. Solan police advises all citizens to maintain peace and harmony at all costs," said Solan Superintendent of Police Madhusudan Sharma.

7:25 am: The Rajasthan government has suspended mobile Internet service in Bharatpur till 6 am on Sunday ahead of Ayodhya verdict today.

7:15 am: Ahead of the Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat urged people to maintain peace and calm. 

7:05 am: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has urged "everyone to take the Supreme Court Verdict on Ayodhya not in the spirit of victory or defeat. Our priority is that we all accept the verdict in humility and unity. This will be in consonance with law of land and our great traditions and ethos."

6:55 am: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), in a statement, said: "In view of the Supreme Court verdict, it is directed that all DCs and Divisional officers, Depot Managers be in their Headquarters and have a close liaison with the local police authorities while operating buses. If any untoward incident happens, the same may be immediately reported to Control Room at Central Office. While operating buses, all are instructed to take extra care and advisory from local police authorities." 

6:45 am: Police personnel have been stationed outside the residence of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. The CJI had yesterday met Uttar Pradesh chief secretary and director general of police to take stock of security arrangements ahead of the verdict.

6:35 am: Religious leaders and organisations of Hindu and Muslim communities have urged people to maintain calm and peace. Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind president Arshad Madani has, meanwhile, said that the outfit will accept the SC verdict irrespective of its outcome.

6:25 am: Schools, colleges and other educational institutes have been ordered to remain shut in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Karnataka as a precautionary measure. Section 144 of CrPC, which bars assembly of more than four people, has been imposed in Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Goa, Bhopal, and Bengaluru. 

6:15 am: The temple town of Ayodhya has turned into a fortress with the stationing of 60 companies (90-125 personnel each) of Provincial Armed Constabulary and paramilitary forces. CCTV cameras and drones are being used for surveillance. 

6:00 am: Security has been intensified across the country in a bid to thwart any attempt to disrupt peace after the Supreme Court delivers its historic verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case.