New Delhi: The Varanasi District Court on Tuesday decided to hear all seven Gyanvapi-related cases collectively, which were transferred to it from different courts.
District Judge A.K. Visheshwar gave the verdict that all seven cases related to the Gyanvapi mosque will be heard together in the same court.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the Muslim side filed its objection before the Varanasi district court to a petition seeking a direction to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to survey the entire Gyanvapi mosque complex.
The Supreme Court had on May 19 deferred a scientific survey, including carbon dating, to determine the age of the structure, claimed to be a 'Shivling', found at the complex, saying implications of the Allahabad High Court order on it merits closer scrutiny.
The direction had come on the plea of the Anjuman Islamia Masjid Committee against the high court's May 12 order for the determination of the age of the structure using modern technology. However, the mosque authorities have maintained that the structure is part of a fountain in the 'wazu khana', where ablutions are performed before namaz.
After the high court order, the district court had on May 16 agreed to hear a plea for a survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of the entire Gyanvapi mosque premises located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
On Monday, Rajesh Mishra, special counsel for Gyanvapi and Adi Vishweshwar cases, told PTI that the Masjid Committee filed its objection in the court of District Judge AK Vishwesh to the petition.
Mishra said that the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee was supposed to file its objection on May 19 but could not do so due to the hearing in the Supreme Court.
Mishra said that the court has fixed July 7 for the next hearing.
In August 2021, a suit was filed in the Varanasi District Court seeking the right to regular worship of Maa Shringar Gauri and other deities whose idols the petitioners submitted are located in the mosque's complex.