WHEN DID THE CASE START
The first suit goes back to 1885, the year the Indian National Congress was born. The case was revived in 1950.
In 1885, the Faizabad deputy commissioner refused to let Mahant Raghubar Das build a temple on land adjoining the disputed structure. Das then filed a title suit in a Faizabad court against the secretary of state for India, seeking permission to build a temple on the Chabutra on the outer courtyard of the disputed structure.
His suit was dismissed on the ground that the event (alleged demolition of an original Ram temple in 1528) had occurred over 350 years earlier, and so it was “too late now” to remedy the grievance. “Maintain status quo. Any innovation may cause more harm than any benefit,” the court said.

CASE REVIVED IN 1950
On December 23, 1949, an FIR was lodged alleging some 50-60 people had broken the locks of the structure and installed a Ram idol and several other Hindu idols and articles of worship.
Six days later, the structure was attached and placed in the custody of receiver Priya Dutt Ram, appointed by the Faizabad additional city magistrate. The magistrate provided a scheme of management under which the property was administered. The receiver ensured worship of the idol through a Pujari.

CURRENT CASE
Jan 16, 1950: Hindu Mahasabha member Gopal Singh Visharad and the Paramhansa Ramchandra Das, keeper of the Digambar Akhada in Ayodhya, each file a civil suit in the Faizabad court against some district officials and Muslims. They seek an injunction against removal of the idols and demand permission for uninterrupted puja and darshan. An interim court order says the idols should remain in place.
Both Visharad’s and the Paramhansa’s suits are part of the current case.
Later that year, lawyer Umesh Chandra Pandey appeals that the gates be unlocked and free entry allowed for puja and darshan. This, however, is not a title suit.
April 26, 1955: Court confirms interim order, letting idols remain in place.
Dec 17, 1959: Nirmohi Akhara, a philanthropic body, and its mahant file suit against receiver and UP government seeking delivery of the property to itself. This is the third title suit.
Dec 18, 1961: Sunni Central Wakf Board seeks declaration of the structure as a mosque, handover of the plot to itself, and removal of idols and other articles. This is the fourth suit.
Jan 6, 1964: The four suits are combined.
1984: VHP begins campaign to build Ram temple at the site.
1986: VHP formed the Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas while prominent Muslim leaders formed the Babri Masjid Action Committee.
Feb 1, 1986: District judge accepts Pandey’s 36-year-old plea to allow darshan and puja and directs UP government to open the locks. VHP forms the Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas.
Feb 1986: Prominent Muslim leaders form the Babri Masjid Action Committee.
May 12, 1986: Sunni Central Wakf Board challenges the February 1 order.
Dec 16, 1987: UP govt seeks transfer of all suits from Faizabad court to Allahabad High Court. This is soon done.
July 1989: Fifth title suit filed by retired high court judge Deoki Nandan Agrawal on behalf of Ram Lalla (young Ram) Virajman (installed), making Ram a party to the case.
Aug 14, 1989: High court restrains political parties from disturbing status quo at the disputed structure.
Oct 25, 1989: Court allows UP govt to take possession of land around the structure but later, on an appeal from Muslim groups, sets aside the acquisition of the 2.77 acres adjacent to the disputed structure. Prohibits permanent construction. UP govt still has 42.09 acres around the 2.77 acres.
Nov 10, 1989: Congress govt at Centre allows Shilanyas by VHP outside the 2.77 acres. Foundation for Ram temple laid.
Mar 20, 1992: UP’s Kalyan Singh (BJP) govt transfers 42.09 acres to a private trust, the Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas. VHP and RSS are trustees.
Nov 27, 1992: Supreme Court permits symbolic Kar Seva on UP govt’s assurance.
Dec 6, 1992: Structure demolished and idol “reinstalled”.
Jan 1, 1993: High court orders meaningful Darshan on VHP plea.
Jan 7, 1993: Centre acquires the entire disputed land through an act. Gets President to ask Supreme Court’s opinion on whether there was an ancient Hindu temple at the site and promises to do everything to implement the court’s opinion.
Oct 24, 1994: Apex court in a majority decision declines to consider the presidential reference and returns the case to the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court.
Mar 13-14, 2002: High court bans all religious activity, symbolic or actual, at the site.
Sept 30, 2010: Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court announces verdict.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 30 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 1 Oct 2010 00:00:00 IST