NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea which had sought directions for nominating central and state government representatives to the ‘Indo Islamic Cultural Foundation’ trust for building a mosque in Ayodhya.
The apex court on November 9 last year had paved the way for the construction of a Ram Temple by a trust at the disputed Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid site at Ayodhya, and directed the Centre to allot an alternative five-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a new mosque at a “prominent” place in the town in Uttar Pradesh.
The matter came up for hearing before a bench headed by Justice R F Nariman which rejected the plea filed by two lawyers.
The petition had said that apart from private individuals and members of state Sunni Board, the presence of central and state government representatives was essential to ensure proper management of the funds.
According to the plea, the Sunni Waqf Board on July 29, 2020 declared creating a trust under the title of ‘Indo Islamic Cultural Foundation’ for building a mosque, cultural and research centre and public utility facilities including a community kitchen, a hospital and a library within 5 acres land allotted to it.
It had said there was no provision for nominating any officer of the government, like the trust created by the central government.
—PTI

Press Trust of India