The top court said it would hear on Friday the appeal by Gyanvapi Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee against the high court’s order for scientific investigation by ASI to determine the age of “Shivling”.
Gyanvapi mosque. (Photo: IANS)
The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear on May 19 an appeal challenging the Allahabad High Court order directing a “scientific survey”, including carbon dating, of a “Shivling” said to have been found at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi during a videographic survey last year.
A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice J B Pardiwala said it will hear on Friday the appeal by Gyanvapi Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee against the High Court’s order for scientific investigation by ASI to determine the age of “Shivling”.
Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the Gyanvapi mosque management committee, mentioned the matter for urgent hearing saying the Allahabad High Court has passed an order when the appeal is pending.
Advertisement
During the survey, a structure – claimed to be a “Shivling” by the Hindu side and a “fountain” by the Muslim side – was found in the mosque premises on May 16 last year during a court-mandated survey of the mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
The high court on May 12 set aside the Varanasi district judge order which had rejected the application for a scientific survey and carbon dating of the “Shivling” on October 14, 2022. It directed the judge to proceed, in accordance with law, on the application by the Hindu worshippers for conducting a scientific probe of the “Shivling”.
Petitioners, Laxmi Devi and three others, had filed a plea in the high court, challenging the lower court order.
Advertisement
