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| Gyanvapi Masjid |
With the interim order of protection expiring on November 12, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain had on Thursday requested the CJI to allot an immediate date for continuance of the earlier order for hearing his application.
The Supreme Court on Friday beefed up the security of the area inside the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, where a "Shivling" was found during a survey. The security has been extended till further orders of the court.
A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Surya Kant and PS Narasimha allowed the Hindu parties to apply before the Varanasi District Judge to consolidate all the suits filed on the Gyanvapi dispute. It also directed the Hindu parties to file their reply within three weeks on the appeal filed by the management committee of Anjuman Intejamiya Masjid challenging the Allahabad High Court order on the appointment of a survey commissioner.
With the interim order of protection expiring on November 12, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain had on Thursday requested the CJI to allot an immediate date for continuance of the earlier order for hearing his application.
Jains, representing some Hindu women who had filed suit before the Varanasi Civil Court for permission to worship at the Gyanvapi Masjid, pointed out that on May 17, the apex court protected the area where the Shivling is said to be Varanasi was found after. The civil court allowed the videographic survey of the mosque complex adjoining the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
He said the May 17 order to secure the area was to remain in force for a period of eight weeks after the disposal of an application filed by the Gyanvapi Masjid Management Committee before the civil court.
In this application of the Masjid Management Committee, the case of Hindu women was sought to be maintained and dismissed on the ground of violation of the Place of Worship Act, 1991. However, the civil court rejected the petition of the Masjid Management Committee on 12 September and decided to proceed. Suit. The eight-week period fixed by the top court started after that.
On Thursday, Jain submitted before the CJI that the area needs to remain protected, and this would require another order extending the court's previous direction.
Justice Chandrachud agreed to constitute the bench at 3 pm on Friday after noting that the Gyanvapi matter was before him and a special bench of Justices Surya Kant and PS Narasimha.
