Torn covers on sealed lock of Gyanvapi’s washroom to be replaced with mutual consent: Court

The court of District Judge Sanjeev Shukla on Friday decided that the torn covers of sealed ‘Waju Khana’ (washroom) at the disputed Gyanvapi mosque can be replaced by mutual consent. All parties have been asked to appear again on October 29.

Anupam Dwivedi, the Hindu side’s lawyer, stated that the washroom is sealed as per the Supreme Court order. The government had submitted an application for the replacement of torn covers. The replacement can be done only after verbal consent from all parties.

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After consent is reached, the government’s application will be withdrawn. Further proceedings will then take place on October 29.

Advocate Rajesh Mishra, representing the government, stated that the government had submitted an application to replace the torn covers , as it has become necessary.

It is noteworthy that on August 18, 2021, five women, including Rakhi Singh, filed a petition in the court of the Civil Judge (Senior Division). The petition demanded that darshan and worship be allowed at Shringar Gauri and that the idols of other deities within the complex be protected. Additionally, a survey of the Gyanvapi complex was conducted.

On April 26, 2022, the court appointed Ajay Mishra as the Advocate Commissioner in this same case and directed him to conduct a survey of the complex, including videography and photography, and submit a report. The survey order was received on May 6 and 7, 2022.

On May 6, the plaintiff and defendant parties, along with the Advocate Commissioner, surveyed parts of the complex for approximately two hours. When the team arrived again on May 7, the Muslim side began protesting.

On May 12, the Muslim side filed a petition seeking the removal of Ajay Mishra, which the court dismissed and retained as Advocate Commissioner. Vishal Singh was appointed as Special Advocate Commissioner and Ajay Pratap Singh as Assistant Advocate Commissioner.

On May 14, 15, and 16, the complex was surveyed and video-graphed amid tight security. On May 16, the Hindu side claimed to have found a Shivalinga in the washroom. Immediately afterward, the washroom was sealed on court orders. Following a court order in July 2023, the complex was surveyed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in August.