Gyanvapi Case
Highlights
- The stay on the order of the court was extended till October 31
- The next hearing in the Allahabad High Court has been fixed on October 18.
Gyanvapi Case: The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday extended till October 31 a stay on a Varanasi court’s order to conduct the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi mosque complex. After hearing the arguments of the parties concerned, Justice Prakash Padia fixed October 18 for the next hearing in the matter.
Petitioner Anjuman Intejamiya Masjid (Managing Committee of Gyanvapi Masjid of Varanasi) and others have filed a petition in Allahabad High Court challenging the maintainability of the original suit filed in 1991 in Varanasi District Court. The original suit sought restoration of the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple at the site where the Gyanvapi Mosque currently stands.
The claim in the original case is that such a mosque is part of that temple.
The petitioners have claimed in the original suit that such a mosque is a part of that temple. Significantly, the Allahabad High Court on September 09, 2021 had stayed the Varanasi court’s order dated April 8, 2021, in which the ASI was directed to conduct a physical survey of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple- Gyanvapi Masjid complex.
Earlier on September 12, Justice Prakash Padia had also directed the Director General of ASI to file a personal affidavit within 10 days as the counter affidavit filed by the ASI was very vague and the matter is of national importance. In compliance with the High Court’s order of September 12, ASI (Varanasi) Superintending Archaeologist Abinash Mohanty moved an application seeking some time for the appearance of the Director General.
‘Director General unwell, not in a position to file affidavit’
Mohanty said the Director General is unwell and he is not in a position to file a personal affidavit. However, the High Court observed, “Since the matter is of national importance and the suit is pending in the trial court since 1991, this Court expects and believes that the Director General of ASI on or before the next date of hearing on or before September 12, 2022.” Will comply with the order.