New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday permitted the resumption of mediation sought by a Hindu sect, Nirvani Akhara, and the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board for an amicable solution of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, but made it clear the ongoing Ayodhya hearings, now at an advanced stage, would continue.

The five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi allowed the resumption of mediation after Justice Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla, chairman of the three-member committee, informed it about the request from the Nirvani Akhara and Sunni Waqf Board.

The Chief Justice also said the hearings must be over by October 18, and if necessary the court may even hold hearings for an extra hour on Saturdays.

If the hearings end by October 18, the Constitution Bench will have a month’s time to write the judgment, that must be delivered by November 17, the day Chief Justice Gogoi is due to retire.