Babri-Ram temple dispute: SC advises parties to settle issue outside court

CJI volunteered to act as the mediator to resolve the case pending for over two decades

The Supreme Court on Tuesday advised parties in Babri-Ram temple dispute to resolve the matter outside court, while the Chief Justice of India volunteered to act as the mediator to resolve the case pending for over two decades.

The apex court also asked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy to discuss the Ayodhya case out of court on or before March 31, as Swamy sought an urgent hearing  while referring to it as a 'sensitive matter.'

SC suggested Swamy to sort out  the issue through negotiations which would be agreed upon by all petitioners and respondents. "If negotiations break down then SC will intervene and appoint a mediator for resolution," the apex court said.

Speaking to CNN News 18, Subramanian Swamy said, "Masjid should be built along Sarayu river and give disputed land to Ram Temple".

He said that the matter needed to be settled through mutual agreement. "I'm sure resolution would come by discussion", he added.

The Supreme Court earlier this month expressed its concern over the delay in the trial against Advani and other BJP leaders Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti in the demolition of the Babri Masjid and suggested a joint trial of the accused.

Posting the matter for further hearing on March 22, the apex court said that a separate trial going on in Lucknow and Raebareli must be clubbed together.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has challenged the Allahabad High Court's ruling to acquit Advani, Joshi, Bharti, the then Uttar Pradesh chief minister and present Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh besides others.

The apex court had sought the response from all the accused during the last hearing.

Babri Masjid was demolished by a mob on December 6, 1992.