Allahabad HC Dismissed The Petition Seeking To Restrain “Bhoomi Pujan” Of Ram Mandir

Saket Gokhale v. Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirthe Kshetra & Anr.

• The Allahabad High Court bench comprising of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh dismissed the PIL seeking to restrain "Bhoomi Pujan" for laying down foundation stone of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya.
• The petition was filed by a Mumbai Based Social Activist, Saket Gokhale. He had raised concerns about the spread of COVID-19 due to the event, saying that around 300 people have been invited for the August 5 ceremony. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to attend the event.
• Pointing out that the presence of such a large number of people at a venue may cause violation of the protocol prescribed by the Government of India and Government of Uttar Pradesh for the purpose of maintaining social and physical distancing to combat pandemic of COVID-19.

Court's Order

• Allahabad HC while dismissing the petition held that the entire petition for writ is based on assumptions and there is no foundation for apprehending violation of the prescribed protocol. The order stated that, it is expected that the organizers and the Government of Uttar Pradesh would ensure all the protocol applicable for social and physical distancing.