Muslim law board to file review plea against SC Ayodhya verdict before Dec 9

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) said on Wednesday (November 27) that it will file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Ayodhya title suit before December 9.

“The board is firm on its decision to file a review petition in the Supreme Court and we have time till December 9 for doing so,” AIMPLB secretary Zafaryab Jilani said.

The Sunni Central Waqf Board decided on Tuesday (November 26) that it would not file a review petition against the Supreme Court verdict in the Ayodhya case. But, it was yet to take a call on whether to accept a five-acre alternative plot for a mosque.

Also read | Ayodhya verdict: Sunni Waqf Board not to file review petition

Stressing that the decision of the Sunni Central Waqf Board, one of the main litigants, will have no effect on the AIMPLB’s decision, Jilani said. He added that the board has already taken the final decision in this regard in its meeting on November 17.

“Exercising our constitutional right, we are going to file a review petition in the Babri Masjid case during the first week of December. Sunni Waqf Board’s decision of not pursuing the case won’t legally affect us. All Muslim organizations are on the same page,” Zafaryab Jilani was quoted as saying in a tweet by the AIMPLB.

“The date for filing the review petition cannot be announced as of now as it is yet to be decided on whose behalf it will be filed,” Jilani said.

He also alleged that prospective Muslim parties, who can file the review petition, are being harassed by the Ayodhya police.

Also read | How the legal battle to acquire Ayodhya land panned out over the years

AIMPLB secretary said that the Muslim litigants are being warned that they will be framed and put behind bars if they file a review petition.

“This behaviour of police can also be mentioned in the petition that will be moved before the apex court,” he said.

In a unanimous verdict on November 9, the Supreme Court paved the way for the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. It also directed the Centre to allot a five-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque.