Supreme Court Judges Who Delivered Ayodhya Verdict Invited For Ram Mandir’s Pran Pratishtha Ceremony

Invitations for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, scheduled for Monday, January 22, 2024, have been extended to the Supreme Court Justices who delivered the Ayodhya Verdict in November 2019 as part of the Constitution Bench.

The Constitutional Bench included former CJI Ranjan Gogoi, former CJI SA Bobde, current CJI DY Chandrachud and former judges of the Supreme Court, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice S Abdul Nazeer have been invited for the event. 

The Pran Pratishtha is set to take place at 12:30 pm, with the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various dignitaries. Rituals leading up to the consecration ceremony have already commenced at the temple and are scheduled to conclude on January 22.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and former Attorney General KK Venugopal are notable invitees to the event, as per reports.

It is also reported that over 50 jurists, including former Chief Justices, Judges, and Lawyers have been invited to the event. Invitations have also been extended to political leaders, celebrities, sportspersons, and other prominent personalities for the event on January 22. Only those with the invites will be able to reach the venue. 

The historic verdict, which was delivered on November 9, 2019, concluded a centuries-old dispute by granting the Ram Janmabhoomi land to Hindu parties, thereby allowing the construction of the Ram Mandir at the place claimed to be Shri Ram's birthplace. Additionally, the Apex Court had directed the union government to allocate 5 acres of land at an alternate site in Ayodhya to the Sunni Waqf Board for rebuilding the Babri Masjid, which was demolished in 1992.

Earlier this week, the New Delhi Bar Association had requested judicial officers not to pass any adverse orders for the non-appearance of advocates or litigants on January 22, 2024.

Thereafter, the Bar Council of India submitted a request to Chief Justice Dr. D. Y. Chandrachud, urging for the declaration of a nationwide holiday in the Supreme Court, High Courts, District Courts, and other courts across India on the occasion of the Shri Ram Mandir Inauguration scheduled for January 22, 2024.