SC refuses to pass any order in Gyanvapi case
Says it will look into the papers before passing any order
The Supreme Court on Friday did not pass any order on a plea challenging a Varanasi court’s order appointing an advocate commissioner to undertake a survey and videography of the Gyanvapi Masjid-Shringar Gauri Temple complex, saying that it will first look into the papers. The SC, however, agreed to consider listing the plea of a Muslim party against the survey of the Gyanvapi premises.
Senior advocate, Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the Muslim side in the Gyanvapi mosque case, informed the SC that a plea has been filed against the survey being conducted at the Varanasi site.
“We have filed in relation to a survey which has been directed to be conducted in relation to the Varanasi property. This (Gyanvapi) has been a mosque since time immemorial and this is clearly interdicted by the Places of Worship Act,” Ahmadi said. He said the direction to conduct a survey has been passed and an order of status quo be passed at the moment. Ahmadi said, “We need an urgent hearing as a survey has been ordered.”
Chief Justice N.V. Ramana heading a bench also comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Hima Kohli asked for the petition documents to be filed, saying “we will see after we see the papers.” “I do not know anything. How can I pass such an order? I will read. Let me see,” he said.
The petitioner — committee of management of the Anjuman e-Intezamia Masjid Varanasi — had challenged the rejection of their plea seeking the replacement of the advocate commissioner Ajai Kumar, who is appointed to undertake survey along with videography of Gyanvapi Masjid-Shringar Gauri Temple complex.