Gyanvapi Mosque Case: Plea For Worship Maintainable, Says Varanasi Court

File photo.

Varanasi: The District and Sessions Court on Monday dismissed the petition of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee against the civil suits filed by five Hindu women seeking right to worship inside the Gyanvapi mosque.

The dismissal of the petition by District Judge A K Vishvesh means that the civil suits will be heard in detail. The women’s petition will be heard on September 22.

After the petition was filed by the five Hindu women seeking permission to worship in the Shringar Gauri Sthal within the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi Masjid complex, a local court in Varanasi ordered a videography survey of the complex in May. The survey was completed on May 16 and the report presented to the court on May 19.

After the videography, claims were made that a structure resembling a Shivling was found in the mosque complex. The masjid committee contested the claim, saying it was a fountain and not a Shivling.

The Supreme Court on May 20 transferred the case from a civil judge (senior division) to a district judge. The bench also said no restriction should be imposed on Muslims entering the mosque to offer namaz or religious observances.