The 40 days of hearing into the Ayodhya case ended on Wednesday an hour before the deadline of 5 pm set by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.
The Supreme Court, however, reserved the judgement after hearing arguments of the Hindu and the Muslim sides.
The apex court has directed both the disputing parties to submit their written submissions and moulding of reliefs within three days.
During the hearing, things got heated up when Rajeev Dhavan representing the Muslim parties tore up a pictorial map depicting the exact birthplace of Lord Ram.
The map depicting Lord Ram’s birthplace was brought forward by senior advocate Vikas Singh- who represented the All India Hindu Mahasabha.
Defending his action, Dhawan said, “The CJI said I could shred the papers and I just followed the order.”
Appearing for the Hindu side, senior advocate CS Vaidyanathan told SC that the Sunni Waqf Board and the other Muslim litigants failed to prove that Mughal emperor Babur constructed the mosque at the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid site.
“They cannot claim the benefit of adverse possession,” Vaidyanathan told the 5-judge Constitution bench.
“If they claim so then they will have to show the ouster of the prior owner that is a temple or the deity in this case,” he added.
Amid rising tempers and heated debates, CJI Ranjan Gogoi said, “We will just go through the papers. It isn’t only about the time but the decorum.”
“As far as we are concerned, hearings look over,” he said.
CJI Ranjan Gogoi is likely to deliver the judgment before his retirement on November 17.