![[File] The apex court on August 6 had started day-to-day proceedings in the case after the earlier mediation process to resolve the dispute had failed | AP](https://img.theweek.in/content/dam/week/news/india/images/2019/2/26/ayodhya-ap.jpg "[File] The apex court on August 6 had started day-to-day proceedings in the case after the earlier mediation process to resolve the dispute had failed | AP")
The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce on Saturday its verdict in the politically sensitive case of Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute in Ayodhya.
A five-judge Constitution bench, led by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi is likely to pronounce the judgement at 10:30 am. Other members of the bench are Justices S.A. Bobde, D.Y. Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S. Abdul Nazeer.
Earlier in the day, CJI Ranjan Gogoi held a meeting with Uttar Pradesh chief secretary and director general of police and took stock of security arrangements.
Also read
- Ayodhya Pran Pratishtha: 15 Indian sporting icons invited for Ram Temple consecration on Jan 22
- Ayodhya: 100 chartered flights expected on Jan 22; 10,715 AI cameras to keep watch on city
- ‘A judgement of court’: CJI Chandrachud on why Ayodhya verdict was kept anonymous
- PM Modi reaches Ayodhya, conducts roadshow
Multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place in the temple town of Ayodhya with drones being used to monitor the situation ahead of the verdict. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said two helicopters will be on standby in Lucknow and Ayodhya as part of the security arrangements.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has already dispatched around 4,000 paramilitary personnel for security deployment in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Ayodhya. Ayodhya district administration has already imposed a ban on inflammatory social media posts related to the case. The ban will be in force until December 28.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has cancelled leaves of its personnel and additional staff would be engaged to escort trains. As many as 78 major railway stations with high footfall have been identified for heightened security.
Delhi Police has asked its top officials to identify sensitive areas in the city for deployment of additional force. The deputy commissioners of police of all districts, along with the station house officers, have been directed to raise police visibility and patrolling in communally sensitive areas.
In Mumbai, which had witnessed terrible riots after the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in December 1992, Police Commissioner Sanjay Barve has appealed residents to maintain peace and communal harmony.
The top court bench had reserved its verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case on October 16 after a marathon 40-day hearing.
Fourteen appeals had 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 three parties—the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.
The apex court on August 6 had started day-to-day proceedings in the case after the earlier mediation process to resolve the dispute had failed.
With inputs from PTI
