Advocates for the Hindu side appealed for the de-sealing of the wuzukhana area to allow ASI to conduct their survey in that area as well
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The Supreme Court on Friday heard a petition filed by the mosque committee challenging the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex and adjourned the matter for Monday, October 16.
The matter was heard by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. Senior advocates Madhvi Diwan and Vishnu Jain appeared for the Hindu side who appealed for the de-sealing of the wuzukhana area to allow ASI to conduct their survey in that area as well, media reports said.
Several other petitions were taken up in the court regarding the Order VII Rule 11 plea and carbon dating plea. The Supreme Court has decided to adjourn these pleas and scheduled a detailed hearing for Monday.
The row over the mosque began after a group of women approached a district court in Varanasi seeking permission to pray before Hindu deities in the mosque complex. The women had claimed that a temple used to exist in the complex before the mosque.
Following this, the court ordered a video survey of the complex, which showed a structure similar to a “Shivling”. The mosque committee denied these claims and stated that the structure was a fountain where people would wash their hands and feet before praying.
Following this, the Supreme Court ordered the sealing of the Shivling area. In July, the Allahabad High Court allowed ASI to conduct survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. With this judgement, all petitions from the mosque committee challenging the survey were dismissed.
