Ayodhya Case: 3-member mediation panel submits report to Supreme Court, hearing at Friday 2pm

In a major development in the Babri Masjid-Ram temple land dispute case, the three-member Ayodhya mediation panel on Thursday submitted its status report to the Supreme Court in a sealed cover, complying to the orders of the apex court earlier on July 11. Following the submission of the report, the Top Court-bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi will take up the matter on Friday at 2 PM.

Earlier on July 31, the Ayodhya mediation panel was allowed to continue talks to reach consensus between Hindu and Muslim sides over the dispute of construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. After discussions, the panel has submitted the report and based on this report, the SC-bench is set to take up the matter on Friday.

Headed by Justice FM Kalifulla, senior advocate Sriram Panchu and spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, if the mediation panel reaches consent on the Ayodhya dispute, then the mediator's decision may be passed by the top court as the court decree. However, if the members fail to reach a consensus on the matter, the court will be hearing the case continuously after the panel submits its final report. The hearings will continue to take place until unless a verdict is passed. 

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Three-member mediation panel

The Supreme Court March 8, 2019, had appointed a three-member panel to mediate in the Ayodhya title suit case. The panel-led by retired Supreme Court justice Fakkir Kalifulla and also comprises Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Sri Ram Panchu. The media was also barred from reporting on the mediation process in order to maintain confidentiality. Also, the panel was directed by SC to submit the report within eight weeks, the deadline of which culminated on May 3. The panel held its first sitting in March in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Announcing the mediation, Justice Bobde has that "outcome of mediation is not something the court considers. He said that a matrimonial dispute that has been referred to for mediation might end up in divorce or might end up in reconciliation.

Day-to-day proceedings in the matter

On July 11, a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by CJI had said that a day-to-day hearing will take place in the matter if the court decides to conclude the mediation proceedings.

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