The Allahabad High Court has adjourned the hearing on a petition challenging a Varanasi judge’s October decision that denied a request for the Archaeological Survey of India to survey the Wazukhana (ablution) area inside the Gyanvapi mosque, located adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
The case has been scheduled for hearing on November 8.
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal presided over the civil revision filed by Rakhi Singh, one of the plaintiffs in the Sringar Gauri worshipping suit, which is currently under consideration in Varanasi. Singh’s petition calls for a survey of the Wazukhana area, excluding the section that the Hindu community refers to as a Shivling and the Muslim community describes as a fountain.
She argues that such a survey is essential for justice and would be beneficial for both parties involved, as it aims to clarify the religious character of the property.
Singh contends that the Wazukhana area can be surveyed using non-invasive methods, as recommended by the Supreme Court. The Anjuman Intezamia Committee of the Gyanvapi mosque has filed a counter-affidavit, stating that the matter regarding the Wazukhana and Shivling is already pending before the Supreme Court, with security measures overseen by the Varanasi district magistrate.
The committee asserts that the Varanasi district judge correctly dismissed the Hindu side’s application on October 21.
It’s worth noting that the ASI previously conducted a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex, following an earlier order from the Varanasi district judge, to determine whether the mosque was built over an existing Hindu temple structure.
The findings of this survey have been submitted to the district judge.
