Varanasi Court says suit filed by Hindu worshippers maintainable in Gyanvapi case

Varanasi: The district court here on Monday rejected Anjuman Committee's plea challenging Hindu worshippers' plea. The court ordered that the suit filed by hindu worshippers maintainable.

Announcing the verdict, the court maintained that the case is not barred by The Places of Worship Act  or the Waqf Act.

The court will hear the matter next on September 22, 2022. Both parties have been asked to submit their pleadings.

Five women had filed the petition seeking permission for daily worship of Hindu deities whose idols are claimed to be located on an outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee has said the Gyanvapi mosque is a Waqf property and has questioned the maintainability of the plea.

District Judge A K Vishvesh had last month reserved the order till September 12 in the communally sensitive matter.

Madan Mohan Yadav, a lawyer of the Hindu side, had claimed that the mosque was constructed after demolishing the temple.

The case is being heard by the district court following an apex court order.

Earlier, a lower court had ordered a videographic survey of the complex. The survey work was completed on May 16 and the report was presented in the court on May 19.

The Hindu side had claimed in the lower court that a Shivling was found during the videographic survey of the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri complex but it was contested by the Muslim side.