New Delhi. The Supreme Court is likely to hear next week the plea of the Gyanvapi Masjid management against the survey of the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. According to the order uploaded on the apex court’s website on Saturday, a bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud will hear the plea of Anjuman Intejamiya, the committee to manage the affairs of the Gyanvapi mosque. The proposed hearing date has not been uploaded on the website of the Supreme Court yet.
A bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana, Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Hima Kohli on Friday refused to pass an interim order to maintain status quo on the survey of the Gyanvapi-Sringar Gauri complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. However, a bench headed by the Chief Justice agreed to consider listing the petition for hearing.
What did the bench say in its order
In its order, the bench said, “On being mentioned by senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the petitioner, we consider it appropriate to direct the Registry to list the matter before a bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud.” Ahmadi said, “We have filed a petition regarding the survey which has been directed to be done in respect of the property located in Varanasi. This (Gyanvapi) is a mosque from antiquity and this (survey) place of worship is expressly prohibited under the law.”
What is the basis of the petition
The Muslim side referred to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 and Section 4 thereof, which provides for the filing of any suit or initiation of any legal action in respect of any change in the religious character of any place of worship existing as on 15th August, 1947. Provides for restrictions.
Order to complete the survey work by May 17
A Varanasi court on May 12, while dismissing a petition seeking removal of the court-appointed commissioner for conducting a videography survey of the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri complex, on charges of favoritism, ordered completion of the work by May 17. The district court also appointed two more lawyers, who would assist the Advocates Commissioner in conducting the survey at the mosque located near the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
The local court had delivered the verdict on a petition by a group of women, who requested permission to worship the idols of Hindu deities on the outer wall of the mosque daily. The mosque management committee had opposed videography inside the mosque and accused the court-appointed commissioner of favoritism. Amidst this protest, the survey work was stopped for some time.
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Tags: Gyanvapi Mosque, Supreme Court
FIRST PUBLISHED : May 14, 2022, 21:34 IST
