- By Kamal Kumar
- Thu, 25 Jan 2024 05:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Vishnu Shankar Jain, the lawyer representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi Mosque case on Thursday said that they will be on the verge of winning the case once ASI releases its survey. Mr Vishnu Jain told the news agency ANI that the ASI survey report will determine whether it is a 'Shivling' or a fountain.
"Several fish had died in the 'Wazu' tank. So, we filed an application before the court for its cleaning. We had also asked the court for an ASI survey there and that the stay on the survey be vacated. The court told us to apply to the Supreme Court. We are going to file it. The ASI survey will be held there too. This will clarify whether it is a 'Shivling' or a fountain.
On an earlier report of dead fish in the Wazukhana tank, the advocate said that the alleged 'wazu' area has been cleaned by the district administration.
As of now, the 'wazu' area is sealed. The area has been cleaned. Its custody is with the Varanasi District Magistrate right now. I can say we will be on the verge of victory after the ASI survey report comes in," he said.
This comes as the Varanasi district court on Thursday asked to make the ASI report public by today itself. It also ordered to provide hard copies to both sides, contending the case.
As soon as the court directive came in, Advocate Hari Shankar Jain, the counsel for the Hindu side and father of Vishnu Shankar Jain, claimed that "there is evidence to show that the mandir was demolished to make way for the construction of the mosque."
Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Advocate Jain said, "A lot of objections were raised to making the ASI report public. However, after hearing the arguments on both sides, the learned court ruled in favour of making the report available for both parties. The report will be made public and everyone will get to know what's in it."
On January 16, the Supreme Court allowed an application by women Hindu petitioners seeking direction for cleaning the entire area of 'wazukhana' of the Gyanvapi mosque where the alleged 'Shivling' was found and ensuring that the space in question was in a 'hygienic' state.
The area of 'wazukhana' was sealed in 2022 following a Supreme Court order after discovering what was said to be a 'Shivling'.
(With agency inputs)
