On Monday, a local court in Varanasi ordered the sealing of the premises of the Gyanvapi mosque after the surveyor claimed that a ‘Shivling’ was found in the masjid following the conclusion of the three-day court-mandated videography survey of the complex.
“Seal the area where a ‘Shivling’ has been found and prohibit the entry of any person to the area. DM, police commissioner, police commissioner, and CRPF commandant Varanasi responsible for the security of the sealed area,” the court directed the district magistrate (DM), as reported by news agency ANI.
Sohan Lal Arya, the Hindu petitioner in the case, claimed that the committee has found a ‘Shivling’. Arya, who accompanied the court commission for the mosque survey, said that they have a “conclusive evidence”.
The Hindu side said they would seek the protection of the ‘Shivling’. “The shivling is 12 feet by 8 inches in diameter,” said Advocate Madan Mohan Yadav.
Supreme Court hearing on May 17
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear a plea against the Allahabad High Court order which dismissed a petition challenging a Varanasi court’s order to appoint an advocate as a court commissioner to inspect the Gyanvapi mosque complex.
A two-judge bench – which includes Justices DY Chandrachud and PS Narasimha – will hear the plea filed by Committee of Management Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Varanasi. On May 13, the apex court had declined to stop the survey of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi immediately, and agreed to list the matter.
