Varanasi: Security personnel stand guard outside the closed gate of Gyanvapi mosque
Highlights
- A local court had ordered the sealing of a pond in the Gyanvapi Masjid where Shivling was found
- Mosque management committee disputed the claim, saying the object was part of the water fountain
- A row was erupted soon after the Shivling was found
Gyanvapi Masjid Case: A district court in Varanasi reserved its order for Tuesday on the maintainability of a suit in the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri temple case transferred to it by the Supreme Court. The court of District Judge AK Vishvesh on Monday heard arguments from both the Hindu and Muslim sides and reserved the order.
"After hearing arguments of both sides, the court will on Tuesday give its verdict on which petition is to be heard first," said Madan Mohan Yadav, a lawyer for the Hindu side.
The Supreme Court had on Friday transferred the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri temple case from a civil judge (senior division) to a district judge, saying looking at the complexities and sensitivity of the issue, it is better if a senior judicial officer having an experience of over 25-30 years handles this case.
The Hindu side argued that since a court-appointed commission has completed its work, the opponents should present their objections on it. Yadav said they pleaded to make available the commission's report and videography done by it to present its side on it.
Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee's lawyer Mohammad Tauhid Khan argued that the writ is not sustainable, hence, it should be dismissed.
Meanwhile, a fresh petition was also moved on Monday by Dr Kulpati Tiwari, Mahant of Kashi Vishwanath temple, for regular "pujan" (worship) of the Shivling which he said was found in the Gyanvapi mosque complex during a videography survey ordered by a lower court.
Gyanvapi case
Gyanvapi Mosque, adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, is currently facing a legal battle. A civil court had earlier directed to survey the structure to find out the truth behind the claims of the presence of Hindu symbols of worship in the mosque complex.
Five women -- Rakhi Singh, Laxmi Devi, Sita Sahu and others moved the court with their plea on April 18, 2021, seeking permission for daily prayers before the idols of Hindu deities on its outer walls. They also sought to stop the opponents from causing any damage to the idols.
The opposition later filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the survey. The top court transferred the case to the district court.
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