The Supreme Court of India has suggested that it will soon deliberate on a series of petitions contesting the legality of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. This legislation maintains the religious character of all places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947, declaring any alterations to that status as unlawful.
The Act’s enforcement remains a topic of contention, and the Supreme Court’s bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, signaled readiness to address these pressing challenges.
Rejection of Petition Regarding Ajmer Court Case
During a recent session, the bench dismissed an intervention application filed by Imran A., which sought to challenge a ruling from an Ajmer court concerning proceedings initiated to survey the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. This survey was requested by the Archaeological Survey of India, based on claims that the site was constructed atop an ancient Shiva temple. The Supreme Court, in a directive from December 2024, had previously ordered that no legal actions could be initiated regarding the Places of Worship Act while the matter remained unresolved in the Supreme Court.
Consequences for Non-compliance with Supreme Court Orders
Legal representatives present argued that the actions of the Ajmer court contradicted the Supreme Court’s established orders, and called for an injunction against such proceedings. The Supreme Court’s response to this was to assure that any lower court breaching its directives would be subject to review and potential consequences. Chief Justice Kant reinforced the binding nature of the Supreme Court’s orders, stating that any defiance would be taken seriously and addressed appropriately.
Upcoming Hearings on Related Petitions
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain also presented a motion requesting that his plea, which seeks a vacation of the Supreme Court’s December ruling, be scheduled for hearing. In response, the Court assured that this request would be processed and instructed him to consult the Court’s registry for further updates. The bench reiterated its commitment to examining the case concerning the validity of the Places of Worship Act, although no specific date for these hearings was confirmed at the time.
Supreme Court’s Commitment to Legal Proceedings
The Supreme Court emphasized its determination to proceed with the review of the Places of Worship Act, planning to finalize hearing dates following the resolution of a substantial nine-judge bench case related to the ongoing Sabarimala issue. The Chief Justice remarked on the importance of continuity in judicial proceedings, stating, “Show must go on!” This statement underscored the Court’s intention to maintain momentum despite the complexities surrounding the legal challenges faced by the Act.