The Supreme Court of India  restrained all the courts in the country from entertaining and passing any effective interim or final orders on any lawsuits seeking reliefs including survey of religious places under the 1991 law.

A three-judge bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan heard the matter.

During today’s proceedings, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to reply to cross-pleas challenging or seeking the implementation of the statute.

“Application for impleadment stands allowed. Union has not filed a counter, let the counter filed within four weeks. Respondents to do the same. Copy of counter to be served on petitioners. Petitioner shall file rejoinder within 4 weeks after counter,” CJI Sanjiv Khanna said.

These suits include the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, the Shahi Eidgah Masjid in Mathura and the Ajmer Dargah in Rajasthan. Muslim parties have challenged the maintainability of these suits by citing the Places of Worship Act.