NEW DELHI: In an interesting development in the Ram Janambhoomi Babri Masjid matter, the Supreme Court has decided to convict the Uttar Pradesh Government for contempt, for defying its orders passed in early 1992, relating to the 2.77 acres of disputed land at Ayodhya. Making a clear indication to this effect, the Division Bench of Chief Justice M. N. Venkatachalaiah and Justice G. N. Ray told the UP Government’s senior counsel” We indicate to you that we intend to convict the State Government for contempt. The only question is if ‘we convict the Government, what should be the punishment and who should be punished.!”
“Kindly have all the accused present in the court on Friday,” Justice Venkatachaliah stated, The Chief Justice said he would hear the matter for the entire day and pass the appropriate orders in the court itself.
He observed: “There is no doubt that the construction went on in the 2,77 acres of land prior to July 26, 1992, despite the Apex Court’s order.”
“Their (UP Goyt) claim was that they were only leveling the 2.77 acres of land.
When UP counsel submitted that the present Government was not there at that point of time, the Chief Justice said “It may be the present Government or the deceased Government, I am not concerned about it. You have to now bear the cost on your chest.”
Article extracted from this publication >> October 28, 1994
