ORDER

1. On January 7, 1993, the President of India, in exeercise of powers conferred on him under Article 143(1) of the Constitution of India, referred the following question to this Court for its consideration and opinion, viz. :

"Whether a Hindu temple or any Hindu religious structure existed prior to the construction of the Ram Janma Bhumi-Babri Masjid (including the premises of the inner and outer courtyards of such structure) in the area on which the structure stood ?"

Upon receipt of the said reference, the Registry of this Court gave notice to the learned Attorney General of India as required by Rule 1 of Order XXXVII of the Supreme Court Rules, 1966, to appear before the Court on January 12, 1993, to take directions from the Court under Rules 1 and 2 of Order XXXVII of the said rules. Directions of the Court were sought on the following points :

"1. The parties who shall be served with the notice reference and the mode of service.

2. The date of entering appearance by the parties and filing of statement of facts and arguments on their behalf.

3. The date of hearing of the reference."

Directions were also sought as to whether notices may be issued to the Advocates-General o