The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a new petition challenging the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The Act prohibits the conversion of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947, except for the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. The petitioner sought a fresh review of the law, arguing that it violates constitutional principles and prevents historical corrections of disputed religious sites.
This decision comes amid ongoing litigation concerning the Act’s validity, with multiple petitions already pending before the Supreme Court. Instead of admitting the new plea, the court permitted the petitioner to intervene in the existing cases.
Incident Details
- A fresh petition was filed challenging the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship Act, 1991.
- The petitioner argued that the law violates religious freedom and bars judicial review of historical disputes over religious sites.
- The Supreme Court refused to entertain the new plea, citing ongoing proceedings where similar issues are under consideration.
- The court, however, granted the petitioner the right to intervene in the existing case, allowing participation without filing a separate petition.
Supreme Court’s Observations
The bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, reiterated that multiple petitions on the same issue could lead to legal inconsistency and procedural delays. The court stated:
“Since the validity of the Places of Worship Act is already under challenge in pending matters, it would not be appropriate to entertain multiple petitions raising the same issue.”
However, the court acknowledged the petitioner’s concerns and permitted intervention in the ongoing case.
“The petitioner is free to present their arguments within the framework of the pending proceedings.”
Key Court Findings
- The Supreme Court declined to entertain a new plea challenging the Act.
- Multiple petitions on the same issue could lead to inconsistent legal findings.
- The court allowed the petitioner to participate in the existing case instead.
- The matter remains under judicial scrutiny, with a larger verdict expected on the Act’s validity.
Legal Significance of the Ruling
This ruling underscores the Supreme Court’s approach in handling sensitive religious disputes, ensuring legal clarity while avoiding unnecessary multiplicity of litigation. The Places of Worship Act, 1991, has been a subject of major constitutional debate, and the pending proceedings will likely shape the legal framework for historical religious site disputes in India.
