New Delhi, September 18: The Supreme Court on Thursday said that it was hopeful of concluding final arguments in the contentious Babri Masjid-Ram Janmbhoomi title dispute case by October 18. A Constitution bench comprising five judges and headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi virtually set the deadline after receiving responses from parties involved in the Ayodhya title dispute about the tentative time-frame to conclude their arguments. Ayodhya Case: Supreme Court Asks Muslims About Their Holy Place's Origin.

"Let us make a joint effort to conclude the same by Oct 18," Chief Justice Gogoi said. The top court on Wednesday asked senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, who is representing the Muslim parties, about their schedule to conclude the arguments in the case. "It will help us to determine the time left for the writing the judgement on the matter," Gogoi, who is retiring on November 17, had said. Ayodhya Case Hearing: Nirmohi Akhara Lays Full Claim on Disputed Land, Says 'Place Cannot be Considered Mosque If No Prayers Offered'.

The Supreme Court also said that mediation and daily hearing in the case can continue simultaneously to develop a consensus between all Hindu and Muslim parties. The mediation panel, headed by former apex court judge FMI Kalifulla, on Wednesday, sought the top court's opinion on the resumption of negotiation. Sunni Waqf Board and Nirvani Akhara wrote to the Supreme Court-appointed mediation panel seeking resumption of negotiation for a settlement.

The mediation panel, which started meetings with both Hindu and Muslim parties on March 8, carried out negotiations for 155 days. Negotiations hit roadblock reportedly because of the hardline stand taken by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind VHP-backed Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas. The talks stalled on July 29.

After the mediation panel couldn't strike a deal between Hindu and Muslim parties, a five-judge Constitution Bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, began hearing in the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmbhoomi title dispute case. Hindu parties have completed arguments, while the apex court was hearing Muslim parties' arguments.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2019 11:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).