A PROTRACTED LEGAL BATTLE
1528: Babri Masjid built by Mir Baqi, commander of Mughal emperor Babur.
1885: Mahant Raghubir Das files plea in Faizabad district court seeking permission to build a canopy outside the disputed structure. Court rejects the plea.
1949: Idols of Ram Lalla placed under central dome outside the structure.
1950: Gopal Simla Visharad files suit in Faizabad district court for rights to worship the idols of Ram Lalla.
1959: Nirmohi Akhara files suit seeking possession of the site. 1981: UP Sunni Central Waqf Board files suit for possession of the site. Feb. 1, 1986: Court orders the government to open the site for Hindu worshippers. Dec. 6, 1992: Babri Masjid demolished. Apr. 3, 1993: ‘Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Act’ passed for acquiring land by Centre in the disputed area. Various writ petitions, including one by Ismail Faruqui, filed in Allahabad HC
Oct. 24, 1994: SC says in Ismail Faruqui case mosque was not integral to Islam.
Apr. 2002: HC begins hearing on determining who owns the disputed site.
Mar. 13, 2003: SC says, in the Aslam alias Bhure case, no religious activity of any nature be allowed at the acquired land.
Sep. 30, 2010: HC, in a 2:1 majority, rules three-way division of disputed area between Sunni
Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and
Ram Lalla. May 9, 2011: SC stays HC verdict on Ayodhya land dispute. Mar. 21, 2017: CJI J.S. Khehar suggests out-of-court settlement.
Jan. 4, 2019: SC says an appropriate bench constituted by it will pass an order on January
10 for fixing the date of hearing in the title case.
Jan. 25: SC reconstitutes 5-member Constitution Bench to hear the case. Feb. 26: SC favours mediation, fixes Mar. 5 for order on whether to refer matter to court-appointed mediator. Aug. 2: SC decides to conduct day-to day hearing from Aug. 6 as mediation fails. Oct. 4: SC says it will wrap up hearing on Oct.
17, judgment by Nov 17.
Oct. 16: SC concludes hearing; reserves order.