The CJI Ranjan Gogoi on Wednesday said that arguments in Ayodhya title dispute case should be concluded on or before Oct 18.

“The hearing of the appeals will continue without interruption. In the meanwhile if the parties wish to settle the matter through mediation, they may do so. Mediation is open to the parties and the mediation and terms of settlement should be kept confidential,” the CJI Gogoi said.

On Tuesday, the constitution bench comprising CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S A Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer had requested all the parties involved in the case to set a time-frame within which they will conclude the arguments.

“It will assist us to evaluate the time left for the writing the judgement on the matter,” CJI said.

CJI Gogoi is retiring on Nov 17.

The apex court is hearing day-to-day hearing in the Ayodhya title dispute case which commenced on Aug 6. Supreme Court is hearing 14 appeals against the Allahabad High Court order which apportioned the 2.77-acre disputed land equally among Nirmohi Akhara, Sunni Waqf Board and Ram Lalla Virajman.

—India Legal Bureau