Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi Mosque Case: Court Appoints Commissioner To Visit Site On April 19

The court's order has been passed to decide on pleas that allege the mosque was built by the Mughal emperor after partially demolishing a Hindu shrine.

A visual of Vishwanath Temple and Gyanvapi Mosque disputed site. (File Photo/ Getty)

Lucknow: A Varanasi Court on Friday directed to appoint a commissioner in the highly disputed Kashi Vishwanath Temple - Gyanvapi Masjid case. While delivering its judgment, the civil judge asked the appointed commissioner to visit the temple-mosque complex on April 19 and conduct videography of the premises.

The court has also ordered the deployment of heavy security forces during the commissioner's visit to the disputed complex. 

After hearing the arguments of both sides, the court has decided to appoint the commissioner. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple - Gyanvapi Masjid dispute is currently pending in Allahabad High Court.

The Varanasi Court's order came almost six months after the Allahabad HC stayed the Varanasi lower court order directing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a comprehensive physical survey of the Gyanvapi mosque compound located adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.

The lower court on April 8 had ordered an ASI survey to investigate the mosque premises, saying that the exercise was required to decide on pleas that allege the mosque was built by the Mughal emperor after partially demolishing a Hindu shrine.

The order was on a plea demanding the restoration of the land on which the Gyanvapi Mosque stands, to Hindus. This petition was opposed by the Gyanvapi Mosque Management Committee called the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid (AIM).

Petitioners have claimed that the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, in 1664, destroyed the temple and built a mosque on its remains. A suit was filed in 1991 seeking restoration of the ancient temple at the site where the Gyanvapi Mosque currently stands.

(With inputs from Nitish Pandey)