In a major setback for the Sunni Central Waqf Board and Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, the Allahabad High Court has rejected all five petitions filed by them. These petitions challenged the maintainability of a civil suit seeking the restoration of a temple at the site where the Gyanvapi mosque stands in Varanasi.
The petitions, filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee (AIMC) and the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board, also challenged a Varanasi court order from April 8, 2021, which called for a comprehensive survey of the Gyanvapi mosque. The Hindu side, who filed the civil suit, claims that the mosque is a part of the temple. The judgment on these petitions was reserved by Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal on December 8 after hearing arguments from both sides.
The Allahabad High Court’s decision comes shortly after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) presented its comprehensive report following a meticulous 92-day scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. This sealed report, now in the possession of Varanasi district Judge AK Vishvesha, contains crucial evidence regarding the mosque’s origins and its potential connection to a pre-existing Hindu temple.
With the submission of the ASI report, the Hindu side has fervently requested its public release and distribution to all parties involved. The court has scheduled the next hearing for December 21, which could be a turning point in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi Mosque dispute.
It is worth noting that the ASI had previously requested additional time to complete the survey, with the deadline extended to December 18 by Varanasi District Court Judge AK Vishvesh. The court has granted multiple extensions to the ASI in the past, highlighting the complexity and significance of the investigation.
The ASI had been conducting the survey since August 4 within the mosque premises, with the exception of the Wuzukhana area which was sealed by the Supreme Court. On November 2, the ASI informed the court that it had “completed” the survey but needed more time to compile the report and provide details of the equipment used. The court granted an extension until November 17 for submitting the document.
In August, the Allahabad High Court permitted the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct the survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. The Supreme Court also refused to halt the survey, except for the Wuzukhana area, ensuring the preservation of the structure.
As the legal battle continues, the fate of the disputed site hangs in the balance, awaiting further developments in the court proceedings.
The Gyanvapi Mosque case, currently being heard in the Allahabad High Court, recently witnessed the rejection of maintainability petitions filed by the Sunni Central Waqf Board and the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee. The dispute revolves around the ownership and control of the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, India. The court’s decision implies that the petitions filed by these two parties are not considered valid to be heard in the case. This development has significant implications for the ongoing legal battle surrounding the historic mosque.
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