SC SAYS AKHARA NOT SHEBAIT OF RAM LALLA

The Supreme Court on Saturday said in its verdict in the Ram JanambhoomiBabri Masjid title dispute case that the Nirmohi Akhara, a litigant in the case, is not a “shebait” or devotee of the deity Ram Lalla.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said the Akhara’s suit was barred by limitation. The bench in its order said the Akhara is not a shebait of the deity of Lord Ram and instead handed over the entire 2.77 acre of disputed area to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas. The Nirmohi Akhara, which was awarded one-third of the disputed land by the Allahabad high court in 2010, had also made a claim to the entire disputed land stating that they were the original “pujaris” who worshipped Lord Ram at the temple at his birthplace.

However, the bench unanimously ruled that possession of Ayodhya’s contested property will vest in a trust to be formed by the Centre and also directed that representation in the trust may be given to Nirmohi Akhara. “A ‘shebait’ is a person who is appointed by temple authorities to serve the deity, maintain the property and manage it. The office of shebait comes with rights. A pujari gains no independent right despite having conducted the ceremonies for a long period of time.

Thus, the mere presence of pujaris does not vest in them any right to be shebaits”, said the bench and ruled that “at its highest, these exhibits show that the Nirmohis were present in and around the structure and assisted the pilgrims.” It does not have rights over the idols or the disputed site itself, said the bench.

The Akhara welcomed the apex court decision of giving it an “adequate representation in the trust”.

Home minister Amit Shah on Saturday chaired a high level meeting to review security across the country in wake of the Supreme Court verdict on the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. Mr Shah personally spoke to some of the chief ministers.

National security adviser Ajit Doval, Union home secretary Ajit Bhalla, IB chief Arvind Kumar and some other senior security and intelligence officials were also present.