Sunni Waqf Board to move SC against Ayodhya ruling

The Sunni Central Waqf Board is expected to file a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, challenging the Allahabad high court verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suits.

Advocate Zafaryab Jilani, who appeared for the board in the high court, confirmed that they were moving the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

"To give prominence to the factor of belief and faith over the Indian Evidence Act, a parliamentary statute, is a violation by itself," Jilani said.

The petition argues that the judgment violates the fundamental principles under Articles 25 and 26 -- freedom to practice religion of choice.

The judgment satisfies the Hindu litigants' right to property by declaring the birthplace inside the Masjid, and thus, riding roughshod over the Muslims' right to practice their religion.

"Articles 25 and 26 give equal rights to all faiths. One faith cannot suffer at the expense of another," he said.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court had earlier on September 30 ruled by majority that the disputed land in Ayodhya be divided into three parts.

The high court bench decided to divide the disputed 2.7 acres of land into three parts, with each of the three parties to the suit getting a part of it.

The ownership of the disputed land has been divided as follows: (1) Ram Lalla, the birthplace of Lord Ram, given to Lord Ram (2) Sita Rasoi and Ram Chabootra to Nirmohi Akhara and (3) The remaining part to be given to the Sunni Waqf Board.