Have been reading everywhere that disputed land whose title suit was pending in judicial system for past many years was 2.77 acres. But this is not the truth. The total disputed land was just around 1500 square yards (13,500 square feet or about 0.303 acres) only & not more.
The UP Govt acquired 2.77 acres of land surrounding the disputed area of 1500 sq yards (0.303 acres) on October 07, 1991 vide a govt notification for the purpose of tourism department. This acquired area of 2.77 acres does not include the said disputed area of 1500 sq yards.
This acquisition of 2.77 acres of land in Ayodhya in Mohalla Kot Ram Chander surrounding the disputed area was challenged by Md. Hashim and Others via a petition in the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court.
That petition was heard and decided by the bench of three judges namely, Justice S.C. Mathur, Justice Brijesh Kumar and Justice S.H.A. Raza on December 11, 1992 which quashed the UP govt notification of 1991.
It is clear that there is no question of the 2.77 acres of land now being under dispute. Only the 1500 square yards of land was disputed which was decided on 30/09/2010 by the Allahabad High Court at Lucknow and finally decided by the Supreme Court on 09/11/2019.
On March 20, 1992, the U.P. Government gave 42.094 acres of land of Village Kot Ram Chander, Village Jalwanpur and Village Awadh Khas in the town of Ayodhya to Sri Ram Janma Bhumi Nyas on perpetual lease for the purpose of developing a project of Ram Katha Park.
On January 07, 1993, the Central Government acquired about 67 acres of land in the town of Ayodhya surrounding the disputed area of 1500 square yards (0.303 acres). This disputed area land IS INCLUDED in acquired 67 acres of land.
The acquired 67 acres of land acquired by the Central Government on January 07, 1993 through an Act of Parliament includes around 16 temples or buildings as well as the 42.094 acres of land, leased out by the U.P. Govt in favour of Sri Ram Janma Bhumi Nyas, on March 20, 1992.
The Central Govt has paid compensation of land to all the erstwhile owners. Most of the parties except Shri Ramjanmabhumi Nyas, have already accepted the compensation and hence, left the claim on the land.
So, the question was all about 1500 square yards and NOT 2.77 acres or 67 acres. But now, all decks have been cleared. Central and UP govt must act swiftly and handover the full 67 acres land to the trust which will construct and manage the Shri Ranjanmabhumi Mandir.
