Retiring Judge To Continue Hearing Ayodhya Matters

New Delhi, Aug 23 (UNI) An Allahabad High Court Judge hearing Ayodhya matters has been given a new appointment after retirement to maintain continuity in adjudication, Law and Justice Ministry officials and sources said today.

Justice Om Prakash Srivastava has been appointed to hear Ayodhya matters for a year, an announcement by the Ministry said.

The appointment by President Pratibha Patil has been made under Article 224-A of the Constitution, the announcement explained.

''Having a new judge hear the matter might have involved hearing it all afresh,'' a Ministry source in New Delhi said.

Justice Srivastava will ''sit and act'' as an Allahabad High Court Judge for hearing Ayodhya matters for a year from assuming charge or till the disposal of the matter, whichever is earlier.

The Article 224-A was inserted as an amendment in 1963. It empowers a High Court Chief Justice with presidential consent to request a retired HC Judge ''to sit and act'' as a Judge of the High Court.

UNI