Centre gets four weeks time in Ram Lalla temple case

New Delhi, Nov 6 (UNI) The Supreme Court today granted four weeks to the Centre to find an amicable solution to the controversy of stepping up the security around the makeshift Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya in view of the increased apprehension of terrorists attacks.

Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium told a division bench comprising Justices K G Balakrishnan and D K Jain that the Centre was talking to the parties concerned for finding an amicable solution so that bullet-proof security would be provided around the sanctum sanctorum where Lord Rama was believed to have been born.

Counsel for petitioner Mohammad Aslam Bhure, however, opposed the request of the Centre on the grounds that it was simply a ploy to construct a permanent structure of the temple at the disputed site and the conduct of the government amounted to contempt of the court in view of its status quo order after the demolition of Babri Masjid in December 1992.

The apex court, however, allowed the request of the Union Home Ministry, seeking more time and directed the matter to be listed in the month of December. The case was due to come up for a hearing tomorrow.

The application was filed by the Centre in May last year, seeking raising of the wall height around the temple to 8.5 ft in view of the increased threat to the makeshift temple.

UNI AKS/SC HS DS1638