New Delhi [India], December 12 : After the Supreme Court restrained all courts from passing any orders in pending suits against existing religious structures, Advocate Barun Kumar Sinha stated on Thursday that lawsuits already registered will continue, and no other court can order any surveys while the case is pending in the apex court.
Speaking to ANI, Advocate Sinha said, "The Supreme Court has scheduled another date for the hearing. The court has also passed an order that no new lawsuits can be registered regarding the Places of Worship Act. Existing lawsuits will proceed, but no other court can authorise any survey while this case is pending."
Another advocate, Mehmood Pracha, remarked that there had been attempts to classify thousands of mosques as temples.
"While this case is pending in the Supreme Court, no lower court can pass any related orders. The Places of Worship Act 1991 clearly states that no person can approach the court on such matters," Pracha said.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court restrained all courts nationwide from issuing effective interim or final orders, including those authorising surveys, in cases pending against existing religious structures.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan also ruled that no new suits could be registered on such claims while the court hears petitions challenging the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.
"As the matter is sub judice before this court, we deem it fit to direct that while suits may be filed, no suits will be registered, and proceedings will not commence until further orders of this court. In pending suits, courts will not issue any effective interim or final orders, including orders for surveys," the bench stated.
The Supreme Court was informed that 18 suits are currently pending across the country against 10 mosques or shrines.
The bench granted the central government four weeks to submit an affidavit in response to a batch of petitions challenging provisions of the Places of Worship Act, which prohibit the filing of lawsuits to reclaim places of worship or alter their character as of August 15, 1947.