Places of Worship Act Hearing Live Updates: 'No fresh suits, orders or surveys on religious places till next hearing', SC on places of worship case

Hearing a batch of petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which prohibits lawsuits to reclaim places of worship or change their status from what existed on August 15, 1947, the Supreme Court said that no further suits can be registered against places of worship.A special bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Vishwanathan, is hearing the case.Key provisions under scrutiny include Sections 2, 3, and 4, which bar conversion of religious sites and lawsuits regarding their character as of 1947. Opposing parties, including Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and the Indian Muslim Personal Law Board, argue that striking down the Act could lead to widespread litigation targeting mosques.Petitioners contend the Act violates principles of secularism, the rule of law, and cultural heritage, deeming it unconstitutional for closing courts to disputes over places of worship appropriated by invaders.