LIVE: SC gives Ayodhya land to Centre, asks to build Ram Temple; Muslims to be given 5-acre alternative land
11:14 am: The Supreme Court thanked the three-member mediation panel, saying they came very close to a settlement on the matter. "Thank you for all their efforts," said the SC.
11:10 am: Nirmohi Akhara be given adequate representation on trust to be formed by the Centre. The suit by Ram Lalla, the deity, has been decreed.
11:09 am: The court has further ordered to give five acres of alternative land to Muslims to build a mosque at a suitable place in Ayodhya.
11:08 am: The Supreme Court said Muslims have given no proof of exclusive possession of inner courtyard at the disputed site.
11:05 am: The Supreme Court said 2010 Allahabad High Court judgement was wrong in dividing the disputed site into three parts. It added that alternative land will be allotted to Muslims.
11:02 am: The SC said that the mosque was not abandoned by Muslims. "Mere cessation of namaz by Muslims cannot lead to the inference that the mosque was abandoned and they lost possession. Though there were obstructions, Muslims continued to offer namaz inside the inner courtyard. So, the Muslims have not abandoned the mosque," said the court.
11:00 am: The SC said that mere existence of a structure beneath the mosque cannot lead to a title case today, even if the court finds that it was a Hindu temple. It is clearly established that while Muslims offered prayer inside the inner courtyard, the same was done by Hindus in the outer courtyard, it added.
10:58 am: The only proof is of regular Friday namaz by Muslims. There is no evidence of continuous namaz by Muslims till 1856, noted the court.
10:56 am: The Supreme Court upheld the suit of Sunni Waqf Board to be within limitation, stating that the Board challenged the act of placing idols inside the central dome in December 1949. The Board has the authority to institute legal proceedings in the case, the court added.
10:54 am: The Supreme Court said that "Hindus consider Ayodhya as the birthplace of Lord Ram, they have religious sentiments, while Muslims call it Babri mosque. The faith of Hindus that Lord Ram was born here is undisputed." The court added that Hindus have faith and belief that Lord Ram was born under the dome while adding that "faith is a matter of individual belief".
10:51 am: The CJI, while reading out the Ayodhya judgement, said that "faith and belief of Ayodhya being the birthplace of Lord Ram is undisputed so is that of Muslims to worship at the mosque. Whether belief and faith are justified is beyond the ken of judicial scrutiny."
10:50 am: The court stated: "There is adequate material in ASI report to conclude the following -
- Babri Masjid was not constructed on vacant land. There was a structure underlying the disputed structure.
The fact that there lied a temple beneath the destroyed structure has been established by the ASI, further noted the SC.
10:49 am: The CJI said the title of land can be decided only on legal principles while adding that Hindus consider Ayodhya as the birthplace of Ram. "Millions of Hindu believe... their faith is undisputed. There is a belief of the existence of a garbagriha too," the court said.
10:45 am: The CJI said the Sunni Waqf Board changed their stand following the ASI report. The claim of Idgah is an afterthought.
10:42 am: The Supreme Court said that there was a structure prior to the construction of Babri Masjid at the disputed site. The ASI report had suggested the existence of a structure but did not say whether it was a Hindu temple.
10:38 am: The SC bench says the suit filed by Nirmohi Akhara is barred by limitation, while adding that Nirmohi Akhara is seeking managerial and 'Shebiat' rights. "Right claimed by Suit 1 Gopal Singh Visharath is not private but on behalf of the entire Hindu community," the court said. "Arguments were made on archaeology report. Archaeological Survey of India's credentials are beyond doubt and its findings can’t be neglected," added the SC.
10:37 am: "Babri mosque was built by Mir Baqi. It is inappropriate for the Court to get into the area of theology," said the CJI.
10:36 am: "This court must accept faith and accept the belief of worshippers. Court should preserve balance," said the CJI.
10:35 am: The CJI begins reading. He goes through the background of the case and says he will take 30 minutes to read out the Ayodhya Judgment operative portion.
10:34 am: Ayodhya judgment is unanimous. No dissenting judges on the five-judge Constitution bench.
10:31 am: The Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by Shia Board has been dismissed. It had claimed the possession over the disputed land. "We have dismissed the SLP filed by Shia Waqf Board challenging the order of 1946 Faizabad Court," said the CJI.
10:29 am: Judges have gathered for the SC verdict. Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, who is about to read the operative portion, has ordered silence in the courtroom.
10:25 am: Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Choudhary tells media: We are in favour of peace since the beginning. "I am the messenger of peace. We all should abide by the verdict of the Supreme Court".
10:20 am: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat appeals to "people of Uttarakhand to accept whatever verdict is given by the Supreme Court. No rumours or objectionable comments should be made on social media or other platforms that could adversely affect social harmony."
10:15 am: Home Minister Amit Shah has called a high-level security meeting at his residence. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Intelligence Bureau chief Arvind Kumar, and other senior officials will attend the meeting.
10:10 am: Babri Masjid litigant Iqbal Ansari said that the Supreme Court verdict will lay the Hindu-Muslim dispute to rest forever. "Whatever the Supreme Court, we will accept that. This verdict is not about winning or losing, but this will end the hostility between the two communities," said Ansari.
10:07 am: Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi arrives at the Supreme Court.
10:05 am: Internet services will be shut in Jaipur from 10 am today till the next order in the wake of the Ayodhya verdict. Police Commissioner Anand Shrivastav said: "The social media is being monitored. WhatsApp groups spreading hate messages have been identified and are being deleted. Those spreading hate messages will be acted against."
9:59 am: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami has urged the religious and political leaders to extend their cooperation to keep the state peaceful. In a statement, Palaniswami said the Tamil Nadu government is doing all to maintain religious peace in the state.
9:55 am: "The Supreme Court's verdict should be accepted by everyone, there should be no dispute over it. We appeal to everyone to not create a negative environment, cordiality should be maintained," said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
9:51 am: Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi is about to leave his residence for the Supreme Court. Lawyers have, meanwhile, assembled outside the CJI's court. The five-judge SC bench will deliver verdict in the Ayodhya land case at 10:30 am.
9:50 am: Ayodhya District Magistrate, Anuj Kumar Jha, said: "Keeping the disputed site safe is our priority, we have made adequate arrangements for it, forces have been deployed in the city. Everything is normal in the city, we will keep an eye on negative elements."
9:45 am: The Uttar Pradesh administration has launched a WhatsApp helpline number for receiving complaints regarding provocative messages. The number is 8874327341.
9:35 am: All schools and colleges in Rajasthan are shut today as a precautionary measure ahead of the pronouncement of the Supreme Court's verdict in the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case.
9:30 am: The 'Diwali Milan Samaroh', which was to be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Bharatiya Janata Party workers at his residence today, stands cancelled.
9:20 am: The Haryana Police have made all arrangements to maintain law and order in the state in view of the Ayodhya verdict.
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 the 1,000-year-old tradition of unity and social harmony. Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, Priyanka said: "As you all know that today the Supreme Court verdict over Ayodhya is to come, we have to ensure that whatever be the decision of the court we all have the responsibility to maintain the 1,000-year-old tradition of social harmony, unity and mutual love."
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 on Friday 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.
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