Varanasi Court directs both parties in Gyanvapi dispute to file objection on Survey Commission's report within 7 days

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The Varanasi District Court today directed both the parties in Gyanvapi complex dispute to file objections, if any, to the court-appointed Survey Commission's report within 7 days. 

The District and Sessions Judge Dr. AK Vishwesha also ordered that the court will hear the application moved by the defendants (i.e.Muslim Parties) under Order 7 Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code questioning the maintainability of the suit on May 26.

In the matter, that has travelled to the Apex Court, the Top Court had ordered on May 20 that the Order 7 Rule 11, CPC application shall be decided on priority by the District Court.

The Top Court had also ordered for the transfer of the civil suit from the court of Civil Judge Senior Division Varanasi to the court of District Judge for further proceedings. Court had opined that as there is a lot of complexity and sensitivity in this case, it should be heard by a senior Judicial officer.

Importantly, the Apex Court had extended the interim order it had passed on May 17, 2022 which protects area where Shivlinga has been found to continue till the objection to maintainbility of the suit gets decided by the District court and 8 weeks thereafter.

The developments are taking place in the plea filed by 5 women seeking the performance of all rituals of Maa Shringar Gauri, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman & other deities within the "old temple complex" allegedly existing inside the mosque site.

During the hearing of this suit, the Civil Court had appointed an Advocate Commissioner to survey the disputed Gyanvapi site and submit his report. 

The report was submitted before the civil Court on May 19 and the court had invited the objections from both the parties. However, they are yet to be filed.