The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition with a cost of Rs. I lakh on each petitioner which sought a direction for the protection and conservation of ancient's remains, artifacts, antiquities and monuments found recently in the month of May 2020 at the time of leveling and excavating at 'Ram Janmabhoomi temple' site in Ayodhya. A three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra termed the petition 'frivolous' and an attempt to scuttle the five-judge bench decision in Ayodhya matter. Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy, on behalf of the four petitioners, submitted that her limited prayer was only to ensure that Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to supervise the leveling and digging at the site. Unimpressed with the petition, Justice Mishra told the petitioners to "stop filing frivolous petition". The plea stated that the ancient artifacts and sculptures found during removing debris and land leveling underway at Shri Ram Janmbhoomi site since May 11 are required to be protected in view of Article 49 of Constitution of India which cast obligation upon the state to protect every monument or place or object of artistic or historic interest to be of national importance, from spoliation, disfigurement, destruction, removal, disposal or export, as the case may be. "The artifacts which are found during digging and leveling of land are under grave apprehension of being destroyed, damaged or modified. There is every likelihood that the similar monuments shall be unearthed during the process of leveling and digging the land and therefore directions for supervision of excavation by the Archeological survey India are also sought through present petition", the plea stated. Note- The report to be updated once the order is available on the Court's website
