Centre withdraws from SC two affidavits on Rama Setu

NEW DELHI: In a damage control exercice, the Centre today withdrew from the Supreme Court its two affidavits, including the controversial one filed by the ASI claiming there was no historical or scientific evidence to establish existence of Lord Ram and Rama Setu as a man-made bridge.

The Centre's action came in the wake of controversy sparked by the ASI affidavit on Thursday that forced the government to backtrack on the issue.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balkrishnan, which allowed the Centre to withdraw the affidavits, said that the August 31 interim order putting on hold the construction in Rama Setu area will continue.

The Court in its interim order had allowed the dredging activity.

The government said it will examine the entire issue relating to the Sethusamudram project and sought three month's time from the Court.

The Court posted the matter for hearing in the first week of January, 2008.