- By Abhirupa Kundu
- Wed, 13 Sep 2023 10:39 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Gyanvapi Case: The Varanasi District Court is set to hear petitions from the Hindu side on Wednesday, challenging the maintainability of the civil suit filed with regard to the ownership of the Varanasi Gyanvapi Complex and has demanded an evidence room to preserve the proof collected during the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey, to reserve the premises of the Gyanvapi.
The Muslim side had raised objections regarding the use of machines and equipment used by the ASI to conduct the survey. The district court will also be hearing a petition seeking the validity of the Allahabad High Court ordering a survey by the ASI.
Earlier on Tuesday, Chief Justice Pritinkar Diwakar heard the petitions filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee and Sunni Central Waqf Board. Both the Muslim and Hindu sides presented their arguments before the court which scheduled the next hearing on the matter.
Also Read: Parliament Staff To Be Seen In new Uniforms From September 18
The ASI has been granted time till October 6 this year to complete the survey and submit its report, the court observed.
ASI conducts survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque. (Photo credit: ANI)
During the last hearing in the matter on August 28, the chief justice had accepted the mosque committee's plea seeking time to study the case afresh and adjourned the matter till September 12.
In August this year, the Allahabad High Court allowed the ASI to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex and dismissed a plea by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, challenging the ASI survey of the mosque complex, adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.
The scientific survey of the complex, excluding the "wazu khana" (place to perform ablution before prayer) began on August 4, following the Allahabad High Court's order, which allowed the ASI to conduct the survey to determine if the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.
Also Read: Nipah Virus In Kerala, Alert Issued in Khozikode And Neighbouring Districts
The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee moved the Supreme Court challenging the Allahabad High Court order. However, the apex court declined to stay the scientific survey of the complex by the ASI.