Lucknow:
Justice S U Khan, in his judgement on the Ayodhya title suits, held that no temple was demolished for constructing the mosque at the dispute structure.
He said the mosque was constructed under orders of Babar over the ruins of temples lying in that state for a very long time.
In his finds, the judge said that for a very long time till the construction of the mosque, it was believed by Hindus that in a very small part of the disputed area, the birth place of Lord Ram was situated.
However, the belief did not relate to any specified small area within that bigger area at the disputed site, he said.
He said much before 1855, Ram Chabutra and Seeta Rasoi had come into existence and Hindus were worshiping the idols.
It was very unique and absolutely unprecedented situation that inside the boundary wall and compound of the mosque, Hindu religious places were there which were actually being worshipped along with offerings of Namaz by Muslims in the mosque.
Justice Khan held that both the parties have failed to prove commencement of their title and hence by virtue of Section 110 of the Evidence Act, both are held to be joint title holders on the basis of joint possession.
He noted that for some decades before 1949, Hindus had started treating/believing the place beneath the central dome of the mosque (where at present the make-shift temple stands) to be the exact place of birth of Lord Ram.
The idol was placed for the first time beneath the central dome in the early hours on December 23, 1949.
In his order, the judge held that all three sets of parties - Hindus, Muslims and Nirmohi Akhara - are declared joint title holders of the disputed premises and will have 1/3rd share each for using and managing the same for worshipping.
He, however, made it clear that the portion below the central dome where the idol is kept at present will be allotted to Hindus in final decree.
The judge directed that Nirmohi Akhara will be allotted that part relating to Ram Chabutra and Sita Rasoi.
He went on to clarify that if while allotting land, some minor adjustment is to be made, the adversely-affected party should be compensated by allotting some portion of the adjoining land acquired by the Central government.
He gave three months time for the parties to file their suggestions for actual partition. He ordered that status will be maintained for a period of three months.