Lucknow, December 20: The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking permission to perform Namaz at one part of the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya. The petition was filed by Al Rehman Trust, a registered body based in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli. Calling the petition as 'publicity stunt', the high court also imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on the outfit.

"The petition's aim is to create unrest and waste court's time," the high court said. Hindus are allowed to perform puja at the makeshift Ram Temple situated on the disputed site in Ayodhya. Therefore, Muslims should also be given permission to offer Namaz there, the petition argued. The petitioner sought the permission citing that, according to the high court's 2010 ruling, one-third land of the disputed site should be handed over to Muslims. Ayodhya Act 1993: When Congress Passed Law For Construction of Ram Mandir And BJP Opposed it.

The three-judge high court bench, in a 2:1 majority ruling, had ordered that the 2.77 acres of land be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. The verdict was challenged in the Supreme Court and the apex court's judgment is awaited. In October, the top court deferred the hearing to January 2019 citing that the issue was not a priority for it. Ram Mandir Via Ordinance or Law: Will Modi Government Adopt Somnath Route For Ayodhya?

On December 6, 1992, a large crowd demolished a 16th-century Babri Mosque in Ayodhya and quickly set up a makeshift temple at the spot. Hindu groups want to build a grand temple at the site. Following the Supreme Court order to list the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi title suit in January 2019 for fixing the date of hearing, proponents of Ram Mandir have reiterated their demand for an ordinance for construction of the temple at the disputed land in Ayodhya.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 20, 2018 12:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).