Ayodhya LIVE: SC Orders Mediation to Settle Dispute by May 15; Kalifullah-Led Panel to Include Sri Sri

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has referred the Babri dispute to mediation where a panel of three mediators, headed by Justice (Retd) FMI Kalifulla, will decide whether there can be a solution apart from a court verdict.

Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravishankar, who is a part of the three-member mediation committee appointed by the Supreme Court in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute, met Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha president Swami Chakrapani today after the hearing. 

The three-member panel is headed by former apex court judge F M I Kallifulla and also includes senior advocate Sriram Panchu.

AIMIM chief Owaisi has expressed his displeasure over the fact that Sri Sri Ravishankar is a part of the mediation committee appointed by the Supreme Court in the Ayodhya dispute, citing the anti-Muslim comments made by the spiritual leader in November. “If you look at high court rules, you’ll find  it clearly states that if a person has previously been involved in a dispute, he cannot be the mediator." On November 4 2018, Ravishankar said, "India will soon turn into Syria if no action is taken against Muslims in the Ayodhya dispute. This will lead to violence." This Owaisi says, reveals that Ravi Shankar is not a neutral party in the committee. He further clarified that he only speaks for himself and not on behalf of the Muslim Personal Law board. 

The mediation panel headed by former apex court judge F M I Kallifull, will also include spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu, said a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.

FM I Khalifulla, who will be heading the three-member mediation panel constituted by the Supreme Court to settle the Ram Janmabhoomi- Babri Masjid title case  says that he is yet to receive a copy of the order for mediation. "I understand the SC has appointed a mediation committee headed by me. But I am yet to receive an order copy. For the present I can say that if the committee has been set up then we will make all efforts to resolve the Ayodhya dispute amicably."

The other members of the panel will be spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu, said a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.

The Supreme Court today ordered mediation to settle the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute by a three-member panel includes Sri Sri Ravishankar along wirh Justice Kalifulla and Sriram Panchu. A spiritual guru, Sri Sri had been advocating for a constructive dialogue between the opposing parties on Ram Mandir issue. Reacting to the verdict, Ravishankar says, "Respecting everyone, turning dreams to reality, ending long-standing conflicts happily and maintaining harmony in society - we must all move together towards these goals"

सबका सम्मान करना, सपनों को साकार करना, सदियों के संघर्ष का सुखांत करना और समाज में समरसता बनाए रखना - इस लक्ष्य की ओर सबको चलना है।#AyodhyaVerdict

— Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@SriSri) March 8, 2019

The top court has been in favour of mediation despite the disapproval of most of the parties concerned. The Constitution bench hearing the proceedings said the case is not about property, but "mind, heart and healing - if possible". While delivering the verdict on mediation at SC today, CJI Ranjan Gogoi said, "Mediation will take place. We don't see any legal obstruction to it, but the proceedings will remain confidential. There would be no reporting in any media," he added.

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on Friday appointed Justice (Retd) FMI Kalifulla as the head of the panel which will also include spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and mediation expert Sriram Panchu.

Another important case was elections to the Chennai City Corporation. Sitting in a division bench, he rendered a dissenting judgment, holding that the election in respect to 99 wards was liable to be set aside. The matter was referred to a third judge, who also confirmed the view of Justice Kalifulla. He retired from the Supreme Court on July 22, 2016.

After assuming office, the learned Judge had delivered several landmark verdicts. One related to introduction of Vedic astrology as a course of scientific study in Indian universities, which had the seal of approval of the Supreme Court.

Kalifulla enrolled as an advocate on 20 August 1975, after which he began practicing labour law in the law firm of T.S. Gopalan & Co. On 2 March 2000, he was appointed as a judge of the Madras High Court. In February 2011, he became a member of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and was appointed to serve as the acting Chief Justice two months later. In September 2011, he was named as the Chief Justice of High Court of Jammu and Kashmir. On 2 April 2012, he was named to the Supreme Court of India, sworn in by Chief Justice Sarosh Homi Kapadia.

In Spotlight: FM I Kaliffula | A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has referred the Babri dispute to mediation where a panel of three mediators headed by Justice (Retd) F M I Kalifulla will decide whether there can be a solution apart from a court verdict. It was in April 2012 that Justice Kalifulla was elevated as a Supreme Court judge, but it was his tenure at the Jammu and Kashmir High Court that makes his stature distinct.

The three-member mediation panel will be headed by former Supreme Court judge FM Kalifullah, with spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and, lawyer and mediation expert Sriram Panchu as other members.

Appearing for Tripathi in the Supreme Court, senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi had argued that the dispute was an emotional issue and the court and the government should take some innovative and proactive approach to evolve a mediated settlement. Then, Sunni Waqf Board and Ram Lalla Virajman resisted all attempts to delay the judgment by the High Court while Nirmohi Akhara, even at that point in time, agreed for mediation.

The High Court had on September 17, 2010 also imposed a penalty of Rs 50,000 on Tripathi, terming his plea as a "mischievous attempt" to create obstructions in the final disposal of the matter.​ Tripathi's appeal in the Supreme Court, at first, dramatically prompted even the top court on September 23, 2010, to put brakes on the judgment by the High Court a day before it was supposed to be delivered.

Eight Years Ago, SC Had Refused to Put Ayodhya Verdict on Hold for Mediation | Eight years ago, in September 2010, various attempts were made to defer a decision by the High Court on the ground of attempting mediation, but all ended being rejected.The Supreme Court was informed then that the High Court is contemplating mediation and has given time till September 23 for the parties to arrive at a settlement. A retired bureaucrat, Ramesh Chandra Tripathi, had moved a plea seeking mediation, but his petition was rejected by a three-judge bench of the Allahabad High Court by 2:1 majority.

The Supreme Court on Friday referred Ayodhya's Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case to mediation for amicable settlement. Former apex court judge Justice (retd) F M Kallifulla will head a panel of mediators in the case.

Supreme Court says "utmost confidentiality" should be maintained to ensure success of mediation proceedings. It has directed that panel of mediators may co-opt more members and in case of any difficulty they can inform apex court registry. 

Swami Chakrapani, president of All Hindu Mahasabha, says, "We accept the Supreme Court order. We are happy with it. We are glad that Sri Sri Ravishankar is part of the mediation panel. I am sure that everything will go well."

Reacting to the Supreme Court's decision, Varun Kumar Sinha, advocate for Hindu Mahasabha, said, "Our past experience with mediation has not been good. I hope the apex court has taken this into consideration."

The mediation, if it begins on March 15, will come to an end on May 15, around the time when results of Lok Sabha elections are expected. During the last parliamentary polls, the votes were counted on May 16.

The Supreme Court on Friday referred Ayodhya's Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case to mediation for amicable settlement. Former apex court judge Justice (retd) F M Kallifulla will head a panel of mediators in the case.  A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on Wednesday had reserved the order after hearing various contesting parties. Fourteen appeals have been filed in the apex court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among the three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. 

Supreme Court has restrained media from reporting proceedings of mediation in Ayodhya case. It has directed in-camera proceedings of mediation in Ayodhya case. 

The mediation will be held in Faizabad. It will be begin within a week and be completed in eight weeks. The first report is supposed to be given within four weeks on status.

The panel will be headed by former SC judge FM Kalifulla. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Shriram Panchu are other two members. The process will remain confidential.

Supreme Court has ordered mediation in Ayodhya title dispute case, paving way for time-bound procedure. A panel of mediators have been appointed and no impediment in law will start the process.

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It may be noted that a mediation in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title case will push back any possibility of an early beginning of the construction of the Ram temple. The speedy construction of the Ram Temple has been the top priority of right-wing groups ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Recently, there have also been calls and clamour to bypass the judicial process through an ordinance. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that no decision could be made until the judicial process is over.