NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Ayodhya panel to inform by July 18 status of mediation and also whether it is possible to resolve the dispute over ownership of 2.77 acre Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid land.

The order came after an application for early hearing was filed by one of the original plaintiffs — Gopal Singh Visharad, last week saying no progress has been made in the mediation ordered by the apex court to settle the issue.

The SC bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said if the mediation panel expresses inability to resolve the dispute, the five-judge bench will commence day-to-day hearing on the litigation from July 25.

The SC said formal orders for commencement of day-to-day hearing on the Ayodhya dispute would be passed on July 18, after perusing the report.

The court had on March 8 constituted a three-member committee, chaired by former Supreme Court judge Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla, for exploring possibilities of an amicable settlement to the land dispute. The panel also comprised founder of Art of Living foundation Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and senior Madras high court advocate Sriram Panchu. The court had expressed the view that the proceedings must be conducted with "utmost confidentiality" to ensure its success.

On May 10, the apex court had given time till August 15 to the mediation panel to find an amicable solution to the dispute.

On December 6, 1992, the Babri Masjid , constructed at the disputed site in the 16th century by Shia Muslim Mir Baqi, was demolished.

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