Ayodhya Case in Supreme Court: Muslims Abandoned Babri Masjid in December 1949, Says Nirmohi Akhada

Arguing its claim on the disputed site in Ayodhya, Nirmohi Akhara informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that Muslims stopped five-times prayers a day at Babri Masjid in 1934 and abandoned the "structure" in December 1949 even for Friday prayers.

The Counsel and Bench are reading various parts of Allahabad High Court judgment, according to Bar & Bench update.

The Supreme Court Bench has assembled after the lunch break session. The hearing in the Ayodhya land dispute case has resumed.

The Supreme Court Bench rises for lunch, Ayodhya Case hearing will resume at 2 pm.

Nirmohi Amhara claims that Muslims stopped 5 times prayer daily in 1934 at Babri Masjid and completely abandoned the structure even for Friday prayer from December 16, 1949. The idols were placed inside the mosque on the intervening night of Dec 22-23, 1949.

Nirmohi Akhara claims right over disputed 2.77 acre Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land. Read here

Sushil Kumar Jain, counsel on behalf of Nirmohi Akhara cites judgments to the effect that a place cannot be considered a mosque if no prayers/ namaz is offered there.

#RamMandir - #BabriMasjid: Sushil Kumar Nain citing judgments to the effect that a place cannot be considered a mosque if no prayers/ namaz is offered there. #ayodhyacase— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) August 6, 2019

The counsel for petitioner Nirmohi Akhara told the SC bench that no Muslims were allowed to enter the structure since 1934 and it has been in exclusive possession of the Akhara. He told the court that the Akhara was in possession of the inner courtyard and Ram Janmasthan for hundreds of years.

The counsel added, "Outer courtyard having 'Sita Rasoi', 'Chabutra', 'Bhandar Grah' were in our possession and it was never a part of the dispute in any case."

Senior Advocate Sushil Jain, appearing for Nirmohi Akhara, argued that the suit of the plaintiff Nirmohi Akhara was confined to the inner courtyard of the disputed land in Ayodhya. He said that its suit is basically for belongings, possession and management rights. "The plaintiffs have been wrongfully deprived of the charge and management of the temple. I am making a prayer for the removal of the Receiver and giving the custody and management to the plaintiff."

A heated exchange of words takes place between CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Rajeev Dhavan. According to Bar & Bench updates, CJI Gogoi asked Dhavan to maintain the dignity of the court. Dhawan to which replied saying, "Your Lordships asked a question, I answered"There is a way to answer it, you are an officer of the Court", reprimanded CJI Gogoi.

#RamMandir - #BabriMasjid: Heated exchange between CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Rajeev Dhavan

"Mr. Dhavan please maintain dignity of the court", CJI Gogoi

"Your Lordships asked a question, I answered", Dhavan

"There is a way to answer it, you are an officer of the Court", CJI Gogoi.— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) August 6, 2019