Hyderabad/New Delhi: India’s Supreme Court on Tuesday decided to hear the civil appeals filed by various parties challenging the 2010 Allahabad High Court verdict on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute on February 8 next year.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices Ashok Bhushan and S.A. Najeeb also asked the Advocates on Record of appeals to sit together and ensure that all the requisite documents are translated, filed and numbered before the apex court Registry.

In case of any problem, the counsel were directed to consult the Registry.

The bench took serious note of the submission of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the parties, that the appeals be heard in July 2019 after completion of the next Lok Sabha polls as the atmosphere at present was not conducive.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, vehemently opposed contentions that the pleadings were not complete and asserted that everything has been complied with and the cases were ripe for hearing.

A three-judge bench of the Allahabad High Court, in a 2:1 majority ruling, had ordered that the land be partitioned equally among three parties — the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and the deity, Ram Lalla. PTI SJK CK

Meanwhile, Hyderabad MP and AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday slammed the RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement that only Ram temple could be built at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

As the security was being beefed up on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid on Wednesday, Owaisi told the media in Hyderabad that Bahgwat’s statement was obnoxious. “By making such obnoxious statements he was playing with fire”, he said asking who had authorised him to make such statements at a time when the Supreme Court was hearing the matter.

Talking to the media at party headquarters Daurssalam in Hyderabad Owaisi urged the Supreme Court to take note of such statements. “I hope that the Supreme Court takes note of how the government, BJP and RSS were trying to trigger an atmosphere of strain in the whole country once again”, he said.

He also saw a connection between such statements and the Gujrat election and said that the BJP was trying to take political advantage by raking up such issues.

The Union Home Ministry has issued advisory to all states ahead of the 25th anniversary of Babri Masjid structure demolition, which falls on December 6, to take steps to maintain communal harmony, an official said on Tuesday.

The Home Ministry official said that the advisory was issued on Friday to all the Chief Secretaries, and Director Generals of Police of all states and the Lt Governors of all union territories.

The advisory said that on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the demolition of disputed structure at Ayodhya on December 6, there could be demonstration by both communities and it was advisable that the administration kept “utmost vigil” and took “all precautionary measures”.

The advisory is as per the guidelines formulated in 2008.

A day ahead of the anniversary, the Supreme Court also began final hearing in the Babri Masjid-Ram Janambhoomi dispute case.

— With inputs from Mohammad Siddique, Correspondent