Security personnel stand guard during a videographic survey at Gyanvapi Masjid complex, in Varanasi.
The Supreme Court Friday transferred the civil suit filed by Hindu devotees on Gyanvapi mosque from civil judge (senior division) to district judge, Varanasi saying looking at the complexities and sensitivity of the issue, it is better for a senior judicial officer to handle the case. A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant, and PS Narasimha said that it is not casting any aspersion on the civil judge (senior division) who was earlier dealing with the suit. The SC said once the commission report on the Gyanvapi mosque case is out, there cannot be selective leaks. "Once the commission report is there, there cannot be selective leaks. Do not leak things to the press. Only judge opens the report,” an apex court bench said while hearing the case." The Supreme Court suggested that the matter be heard by a district court in Varanasi. On May 17, the top court had directed the district magistrate of Varanasi to ensure the protection of an area inside the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri complex where a 'Shivling' is said to have been found during a survey and allowed Muslims to offer ‘namaz’ and perform “religious observances”.
