New Delhi: The Varanasi District and Sessions Court on Monday rejected the maintainability plea by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee in the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri case and decided to continue hearing the Hindu side's plea seeking permission for daily worship.
District Judge AK Vishvesh read the order in the sensitive matter, it was reserved last month till September 12. The next hearing in this matter will take place on September 22.
"The court rejected the Muslim side's petition and said the suit is maintainable. The next hearing of the case is on September 22": Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Sohan Lal Arya, a petitioner from the Hindu side, called it a win for the Hindu community. "It's a foundation stone for the Gyanvapi temple. Appeal to people to maintain peace," he said, as per ANI.
Ahead of the court verdict, the Hindu side had stated that they will seek a survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as well as carbon dating of 'Shivling' if the judgment comes in their favour.
Speaking to ANI, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain said, "Today the court will deliver its judgment on the maintainability of the suit. 1991 Worship Act applies in our favour. If judgment comes in our favour, then we will seek for ASI survey, carbon dating of Shivling."
Final submissions were made by Anjuman Intezamia Masjid -- the mosque management committee -- and advocates of the five women, plaintiffs seeking worshipping rights at Shringar Gauri in Gyanvapi mosque compound, on August 24.
ALSO READ: Gyanvapi Mosque: Win For The Hindu Community, Petitioner Says After Court Order
Gyanvapi Mosque Maintainability Of Civil Suits Case
Five women had filed the petition seeking permission for daily worship of Hindu deities whose idols are said 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.
Following the directive of the Supreme Court to decide the maintainability of the case on priority, the district judge started the hearings on May 20.
Madan Mohan Yadav, a lawyer of the Hindu side, had said that the mosque was constructed after demolishing the temple.
Earlier, a lower court had ordered a videography 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 videography survey of the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri complex but it was contested by the Muslim side.
(With Agency Inputs)