Bhubaneswar: While delivering the historic judgment on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute in Ayodhya on Saturday, the Supreme Court considered three significant hearings of Odisha as case studies.
The first case study pertains to that of 1966 Emar Mutt case between Mutt Mahant Srinivasa Ramanuj Das and Surajnarayan Dass. During the hearing in the case, Orissa High court had held that the information provided in the Gazetteer (a geographical dictionary) can't be treated as evidence but it can be consulted on matters of public history. Citing the significant judgement, the SC in its landmark hearing on Saturday said that evidence collected by Gazetteer in Ayodhya case can also be accepted as history.
“The apex court said that on the basis of historical facts, the case can be very carefully considered at the time of adjudication,” advocate Dhaneswar Mohanty said while shedding light on Ayodhya dispute case.
The second case study considered by the apex court was between Radhakrishna Das and Radharamana Swami at Orissa High Court pertaining to limitation of deity.
The apex court in its hearing on Ayodhya matter said, "An idol is no doubt in the position of an infant as it can act only through a sevayat or a manager. But no authority has been cited to us for the proposition that he is to be regarded as perpetual infant, so that transactions by or against him will not be governed by the Limitation Act."
“The Court explained that deity can’t walk on his own but has an agent who can represent him,” said Mohanty.
The third case study considered by the SC bench was between one Promod Chandra Das and Odisha government. The case was about discontinuation of compensation or Khor Posh and facilities given to feudal kings after the territorial states were dissolved in the medieval period.
In a unanimous verdict, the Supreme Court on Saturday paved the way for the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya, while directing the Centre to allot a 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque.
The apex court said the mosque should be constructed at a “prominent site” and a trust should be formed within three months for the construction of the temple at the site where many Hindus believe Lord Ram was born.