Gyanvapi mosque case maintainable, says Varanasi court, rejects plea of Muslim side

In a jolt to the Muslim side, the Varanasi District Court on Monday rejected the plea questioning the maintainability of a petition seeking permission for daily worship of Hindu deities whose idols are located on an outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque.

District Judge A K Vishvesh ordered that it would continue to hear the petition seeking the right to worship in the temple.

In light of the matter, security has been beefed up in Varanasi.

A plea was filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee questioning the maintainability of the petition, citing that the Gyanvapi mosque is a Waqf property.

Last month, District Judge A K Vishvesh had reserved the order till September 12. A fast track court in Varanasi had last on Monday granted time to the Muslim side to present its reply on a petition seeking permission to hold ‘darshan’ of an idol in the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

History of the Gyanvapi mosque – Shringar Gauri case

– Five women had filed the petition seeking permission for daily worship of Hindu deities whose idols are claimed to be located on an outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque.

– Madan Mohan Yadav, a lawyer of the Hindu side, had claimed that the mosque was constructed after demolishing the temple.

– The case is being heard by the district court following an apex court order.

– Earlier, a lower court had ordered a videographic survey of the complex. The survey work was completed on May 16 and the report was presented in the court on May 19.

– The Hindu side had claimed in the lower court that a Shivling was found during the videographic survey of the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri complex but it was contested by the Muslim side.

– Police Commissioner A Satish Ganesh had on Sunday said prohibitory orders have been clamped in the Varanasi commissionerate area and officers have been asked to interact with religious leaders in their respective areas to ensure that peace is maintained.

– To maintain law and order, the entire city has been divided into sectors which have been allocated police force as required, he said, adding directives for flag march and foot march in sensitive areas have also been issued.

– Checking has been intensified in the district’s border areas, hotels and guest houses, while an eye is being also kept on social media, the police officer said.

– General secretary of Vishwa Vaidik Sangh Kiran Singh Bisen had filed the petition in the court of civil judge senior division, seeking regular ‘darshan’ (glimpse) and worshipping of “Adivisheshwar” in the Gyanvapi mosque complex. He had also sought a ban on the entry of Muslims in the complex and handing over it to Hindus.

– The Muslim side has questioned the maintainability of the petition and on 5 September had sought time to present its reply. The court granted it permission and posted the matter for next hearing on September 13.

– Maan Bahadur Singh, advocate representing the Hindu side, said he also made his arguments in the court against the views presented by the Muslim side.

– The plea, initially filed in the court of the civil judge, was transferred to the fast track court.

With PTI inputs

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