The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan, also ruled that no new suits could be filed while the court reviews challenges to the Places of Worship Act.
NEW DELHI: Advocate Hari Shankar Jain vowed to restore all Hindu temples that were demolished to build mosques, following the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.
Speaking on December 13, he emphasized that the court’s ruling was a relief for Hindus, as it allowed for the examination of the Act’s validity.
Jain, who has already filed cases concerning the Taj Mahal and Qutub Minar, stated, “No court of law can give a verdict that is not in the interest of its majority population. The fight is not against mosques, but against structures built over temples, which cannot be called mosques.”
On December 12, the Supreme Court ordered a stay to any interim or final rulings, including surveys, in ongoing cases concerning religious structures.
The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan, also ruled that no new suits could be filed while the court reviews challenges to the Places of Worship Act.
During the Supreme Court proceedings, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna made significant observations and directions. He emphasized that “No one shall address us without being asked,” highlighting the need for orderly conduct in the courtroom.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought additional time to file an affidavit, to which the CJI responded by directing, “Whatever needs to be submitted, please file a reply and provide a copy to the petitioners.”
However, he clarified that e-copies of replies would not be made available online.
The CJI further stated,
“We cannot proceed until the reply is filed. If anyone has concerns, we will address them as they arise,” indicating the court’s commitment to ensuring all procedural requirements are met before moving forward.
The CJI ordered,
“Until the next date of hearing, no additional suits shall be registered.”
The Supreme Court was informed that 18 cases were pending against 10 mosques or shrines. The court granted the Centre four weeks to file an affidavit in response to petitions challenging provisions of the 1991 Act, which prohibits lawsuits seeking to reclaim or alter the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947.
The petitions argue that the Act denies Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs the right to reclaim or restore their religious sites destroyed by invaders. Among those challenging the Act in the Supreme Court are figures like Maharaja Kumari Krishna Priya, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, former MP Chintamani Malviya, and several religious leaders and advocates.
