Supreme Court Defers Places of Worship Act Hearing to April

The court criticized the influx of new petitions and emphasized the need for a three-judge bench to address the matter.

The Supreme Court postponed hearings on the Places of Worship Act, 1991, to the first week of April, citing the requirement for a three-judge bench.
Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna expressed frustration over the growing number of new petitions, stating that limits must be set to manage the court's docket.
The 1991 Act preserves the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947, with an exception for the Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site.
Hindu groups have challenged the Act, claiming it restricts their rights, while Muslim organizations and political parties argue for its strict enforcement to maintain communal harmony.
The Union government has been granted four weeks to clarify its stance, with its response pending for over two years.