Ayodhya SC hearing enters last stage, Muslim parties to end arguments today

The final moment has come in the Supreme Court to hear the decades-old Ayodhya case. Today, the Constitution Bench will hear the case on the 38th day after the week-long holiday of Dussehra. This will be the last week to hear the matter. At the same time, the District Collector of Aher has imposed Section 144 in Ayodhya.

The October 17 deadline has been fixed for the hearing of the religiously sensitive case. A month later, a decision is expected to be pronounced by November 17. On this day, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi is retiring from his post. 

A five-judge constitution bench headed by CJI Gogoi began the day-to-day hearing on August 6 after the arbitration process failed to find a amicable solution to this complex issue. The bench is hearing 14 appeals against the 2010 judgment of the Allahabad High Court. The bench consists of Justice SA Bobde, Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice SA Nazir besides CJI. The bench had reviewed the deadline for completion of the hearing in the case and had earlier set a limit of 18 October, but later reduced it to one day on 17 October. 

Today, the Muslim side will complete its plea 

While deciding the schedule for the final stage arguments, the bench said that the Muslim side will complete its arguments by 14 October. After this, the Hindu parties will be given two days till October 16 to complete their response. On October 17, all parties will present their final arguments in favor of their demand.  

Section 144 applies in Ayodhya

Section-144 of IPC has been implemented in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Ayodhya District Collector Anuj Kumar Jha said that section-144 has been implemented in the district till December 10. This decision has been taken keeping in mind the upcoming festivals. According to news agency ANI, one of the main reasons behind this move is the decision regarding the Ayodhya land dispute.