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Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid case: Can Janmasthan be a juridical person? Asks SC

After efforts to arrive at a common ground through mediation failed, the Supreme Court begun its day-to-day hearing on the case from August 6, 2019.

Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid case: Can Janmasthan be a juridical person? Asks SC

Supreme Court begun its day-to-day hearing on the case from August 6, 2019 (Photo: IANS)

The Supreme Court, on the third day of hearing in the Ayodhya dispute, asked the counsel of Ram Lalla, can Janmasthan be a juridical person, relating to administration of justice.

Justice DY Chandrachud, one of the five judges on the Constitution bench hearing the dispute, said the argument by Ram Lalla counsel emphasizes that the Janmasthan was a juridical person since it was an object of worship.

“But what is the source of that worship?” the judge queried senior advocate K Parasaran, counsel for Ram Lalla. Another judge on the bench also argued, “How can Janmasthan be juridical person?” The bench sought clarity if the Janmasthan was worshipped due to the belief that Lord Ram was born there. “So can a source of worship be the benchmark for deciding whether something is a juridical person?” asked the bench.

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While arguing on the significance of the juridical person applicable to Janmasthan, which has been argued as a living entity, Parasaran emphasised that the presence of deity isn’t the only test for being a juridical person.

“Rivers are worshipped and considered as dieties. According to Rig Veda, Sun is a deity. Sun is not an idol but he is still a deity. So we can say that Sun is a juridical person,” argued Parasaran.

On August 7,  Justice SA Bobde, the next in line to be CJI after Chief Justice of India Rajan Gogoi retires, asked Parasaran, “Has a question of this nature ever arisen in any other court? Has any court dealt with, say, the issue of birth of Lord Jesus Christ?”

Since 2010, the title suit in the matter has been pending before the Supreme Court. Two sides have moved the apex court against the Allahabad High Court verdict  which asked dividing the disputed land into three equal portions, 1/3rd each for Hindus, Muslims, and Nirmohi Akhara.

The apex court has initiated the hearing on 14 appeals including the suits filed by the Ram Lalla, Nirmohi Akhara, and Sunni Waqf board as well as four other petitions.  After efforts to arrive at a common ground through mediation failed in the contentious Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case, the Supreme Court begun its day-to-day hearing on the case from August 6, 2019. The hearing will be conducted on daily basis by a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.

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