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In May this year, Top Court directed the District Judge to decide the application challenging the maintainability of the suit on priority.
Hearing in the application moved by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee questioning the maintainability of the suit filed for permission to worship Hindu deities allegedly residing inside the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi ended today.
The hearing in the application under Order 7 Rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure was going on before Varanasi District and Sessions Judge, Dr. A.K. Vishvesha in which the decision is now likely to come on September 12.
Initially the suit by 5 Hindu women devotees was being heard by a Civil Judge Senior Division Varanasi, however, on May 19, 2022, the Supreme Court ordered to transfer the suit to the court of District Judge for further proceedings. Along with that, the Top Court had further directed the District Judge to decide the application challenging the maintainability of the suit on priority.
The Hindu women devotees have filed this suit alleging that Maa Shringar Gauri, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman & other visible and invisible deities reside inside the Gyanvapi Complex, therefore, they should be allowed to performance of all rituals of these deities there.
However, the claim is being contested by Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee which manages the affairs of Gyanvapi mosque and Waqf Board.
In the suit proceedings, Civil Judge (Senior Division) Ravi Kumar Diwakar on May 12 appointed Advocate Commissioner to inspect, conduct videography and collect evidence regarding the alleged existence of Hindu deities inside Gyanvapi.
During the court-ordered survey, a Shivling shaped structure was found, after which Judge Diwakardirected the District Magistrate, Varanasi to seal the disputed site at Gyanvapi complex.
The decision to protect the area where the indicated Shivling was found was later modified by the Supreme Court to the extent that the local court's direction in any manner will not restrain access of Muslims to the mosque or use of it for performing prayers and religious activities.
[Inputs: ANI]
Case Title: Rakhi Singh and Ors v. State of UP and Ors.
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