Gyanvapi Masjid Case: Supreme Court To Hear Mosque Committee Plea Challenging Survey Today

The petition was filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee which manages the affairs of Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi

New Delhi: A Supreme Court bench, led by Justice DY Chandrachud, on Tuesday will hear the plea of the management of Gyanvapi mosque against the survey of the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri complex in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The petition was filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee which manages the affairs of Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi. Chief Justice of India NV Ramana directed that matter be listed before Justice Chandrachud, according to the news agency PTI report.

What’s the plea to be heard?

The appeal was filed by the Committee, challenging an order of Allahabad High Court permitting a court-appointed commissioner to inspect, and conduct a survey and videography of the Gyanvapi mosque to which Hindus and Muslims have laid claim for their right to worship. It sought direction to stay the survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex.

The Varanasi civil court had directed a survey to inspect, conduct videography and collect evidence regarding the alleged existence of Hindu deities inside the Gyanvapi mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. On May 12, the court said that the survey of the Gyanvapi mosque will continue despite objections from mosque authorities.

The survey was stalled last week following objections by the mosque committee which claimed that the advocate commissioner appointed by the court for the survey did not have the mandate to film inside the premises.

A court-mandated videography survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex concluded in Varanasi on Monday amid tight security, officials said, according to the news agency PTI. The survey of the mosque complex, which started at 8 am, concluded at around 10:15 am.

The mosque is located close to the iconic Kashi Vishwanath temple and the local court is hearing a plea by a group of women seeking permission for daily prayers before the idols on its outer walls.

The apex court hearing on Tuesday comes amid the latest direction in which a Varanasi court on Monday asked the district administration to seal the spot of the survey inside the complex where claims are being made of a Shivling beeing found by the survey team.