Ayodhya dispute: SC directs Allahabad HC to name 2 observers within 10 days

The order came after the Allahabad high court told the apex court that one observer has retired and the second has been elevated to the high court.

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court to appoint new observers within 10 days in Ayodhya land dispute matter.

The order came after the Allahabad high court told the apex court that one observer has retired and the second has been elevated to the high court.

The Supreme Court has already constituted a three-judge bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra to hear a batch of petitions challenging the Allahabad High Court verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case. The bench, whose other members are justices Ashok Bhushan and Abdul Nazeer, would adjudicate the dispute over ownership of Ram temple-Babri masjid land.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had in 2010 ruled a three-way division of the disputed 2.77 acres area at the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri masjid site in Ayodhya. The three-judge bench of the high court, by a 2:1 majority, had said the land be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

PTI