In Brief
In this landmark judgment on the Ayodhya land dispute, the Supreme Court divided the 1,500 sq yd disputed property equally among Muslims, Hindus, and Nirmohi Akhara. While recognizing the three-domed structure as a mosque under law, the Court upheld Hindu faith that the land is Lord Ram's birthplace. Suit 3 (Nirmohi Akhara) was barred by limitation, but their shebaitic rights were acknowledged. The Court declined to confer juristic personality on land itself, holding that religious faith alone cannot override secular property law. The Places of Worship Act's exemption for this dispute was upheld.
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