The Ayodhya land dispute case will not be referred to a larger bench, said Justice Bhushan, on behalf of himself and chief Justice Dipak Misra, while reading out the Supreme Court verdict.
While pronouncing its verdict on a batch of pleas by Muslim groups on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute, the apex court declined to refer the case to a larger bench to consider the observations made by it in a 1994 verdict that ¡°a mosque is not an essential part of the practice of the religion of Islam and namaz can be offered anywhere, even in the open¡±.
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer had reserved the verdict on July 20.
¡°All religions and religious places need to be equally respected. Ashoka's edicts preach tolerance to faith of others¡±, said Justice Ashok Bhushan.
"The judgment in Ismail Faruqui will not impact decisions in suits; the observations in that judgment only wrt immunity from acquisition and won't affect suits. The use of "particular significance" in Ismail Faruqui judgment is only in the context of immunity from the acquisition. Questionable observations in Ismail Faruqui not relevant for decision making in this suit, Supreme Court declines reference to larger Bench," Justice Ashok Bhushan said as per Bar & Bench.
Three-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India will commence hearing on the Ayodhya land dispute in the week starting from October 29 this year.
Justice Nazeer disagreed with Justice Misra and Justice Bhushan, saying that the mosque must be considered by the larger bench.?