Supreme Court's Observations on the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991

The Supreme Court expressed concerns over the large number of interventions in the petitions challenging the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.

Key Observations by the Supreme Court

• The court emphasized the need to limit the number of interventions being filed in connection with the act.
• A bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna noted the excessive number of petitions.
• The case is scheduled for a hearing in April before a three-member bench.
• Petitions challenging the act without a court-issued notice will be dismissed.
• Dismissed petitioners can file applications in existing petitions if they introduce new grounds.

Parties Involved

• Several political entities, including the Congress, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, have filed interventions.
• These parties support the act's validity and oppose petitions challenging it.

Congress's Position

• Congress highlighted the constitutional and societal importance of the act in its intervention application.
• It expressed concern that changes to the act might harm India's communal harmony and secular framework.

Supreme Court's Directions

• On December 12, the Supreme Court instructed trial courts not to issue effective orders or conduct surveys concerning existing religious structures under dispute.
• Chief Justice Khanna stated that while new suits may be filed, they will neither be registered nor will proceedings commence until further court orders.