Nirmohi Akhara moves SC, says Ayodhya verdict not fully implemented, seeks trust reconstitution

The Nirmohi Akhara, a key party in the 2019 Ayodhya land dispute case, has moved the Supreme Court alleging that the landmark verdict has not been fully implemented. In its petition, the Akhara has sought the reconstitution of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which was formed to oversee the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The 2019 Supreme Court judgment unanimously awarded the disputed 2.77-acre site to the deity Ram Lalla and directed the central government to form a trust within three months to manage the temple construction. The trust was established in February 2020, with 15 members including a chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer, and other trustees. However, the Nirmohi Akhara claims that the trust does not adequately represent its interests, as it was one of the original litigants in the case and had been managing the temple premises for decades.

In its petition, the Akhara argues that the court's direction to give it a 'suitable representation' in the trust has not been honoured. It says that while the trust includes a representative of the Akhara, the body has not been given a meaningful role in decision-making. The Akhara is seeking a reconstitution of the trust to ensure its rightful place in the management of the temple.

The petition comes at a time when the construction of the Ram temple is in full swing, with the consecration ceremony (pran pratishtha) scheduled for January 2024. The temple trust has been actively involved in the construction and fundraising efforts. The Nirmohi Akhara's move is seen as an attempt to assert its historical role in the temple's affairs.

Legal experts note that the Supreme Court's verdict was final and binding, and any dispute over its implementation would fall under the court's jurisdiction. The court may decide to hear the petition and clarify the trust's composition or dismiss it as an attempt to reopen settled issues.

The Nirmohi Akhara is one of the oldest Hindu monastic groups in India, with a long association with the Ram Janmabhoomi site. It had earlier expressed disappointment over the trust's formation, claiming it was sidelined despite the court's assurance. The central government has maintained that the trust was constituted in accordance with the court's order and that all stakeholders were given due representation.

As the temple nears completion, the Akhara's petition adds a new layer of legal complexity to the project. The Supreme Court is expected to take up the matter in the coming weeks.