Lucknow: The hearing in the Gyanvapi mosque controversy has been postponed by the Varanasi District Judge. The decision should be made tomorrow (May 24). The Muslim side questioned the legality of the Places of Worship Act 1991 during the hearings. A copy of the survey report filed by dismissed commissioner Ajay Mishra was also approved by the bench led by Varanasi Distinct Judge Dr AK Vishvesha.
Another significant development is that the Hindu side has filed an application with the Chief Judicial Magistrate under section 156 (3) CrPC for the registration of a FIR under sections 153A(2) and 505 (3) IPC against persons who allegedly performed wuzu (between May 16 and 19) in the wuzukhana where Shivalinga was said to be found. The Varanasi civil court and the Supreme Court had both directed that the location be protected and that alternate arrangements for wuzu be established elsewhere.
The Supreme Court, hearing a petition challenging the filming of Varanasi’s Gyanvapi mosque, had said last week that the case will be heard by an experienced judge in Uttar Pradesh.
“This is a complex and sensitive matter. We think that the suit should be heard by a district judge instead of a trial judge. Because better if a more seasoned hand hears it,” the court had said.
The court had also said that “selective leaks” to the press must stop, as Hindu petitioners had released details of the mosque filming report just hours after it was handed over to a Varanasi court in a sealed cover on Thursday.
The Supreme Court had also stressed that the “need for fraternity between communities and need for peace is topmost” for the court.
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