Gyanvapi case: Judge who ordered Gyanvapi mosque videography survey receives threat letter from Islamic Agaz Movement

Varanasi: Civil Judge Ravi Diwakar, who passed the order to conduct a videography survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday (June 7) informed the state government allegedly received a threatening letter from Islamic Agaz Movement.

The judge wrote to the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, stating that he had received a threatening letter today from an organisation called the Islamic Aagaz Movement and demanded action.

A total of nine police personnel have been deployed for the security of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ravi Diwakar.

Earlier on May 13, Judge Diwakar, while hearing the case, expressed safety concerns and said he was worried about his family’s safety.

Diwakar said, “An atmosphere of fear was created by making this civil case into an extraordinary case. The fear is so much that my family is always concerned about my safety and I am concerned about their safety. Concerns about safety are repeatedly expressed by my wife when I am out of the house.”

Yesterday, my mother (in Lucknow) during our conversation also expressed concerns about my safety, and from the news received by the media, she came to know that maybe I am also going to the spot as commissioner and my mother asked me that I should not go on commission on the spot, as it may endanger my safety,” the judge added.

A case was filed by Delhi-based Rakhi Singh, Laxmi Devi, Sita Sahu, Manju Vyas and Rekha Pathak on April 18 last year, demanding permission for daily worship of Shringar Gauri, Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman and Nandi located on the outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque. The plea had also requested an order restraining the opponents from causing any damage to the statutes.

Diwakar had ordered conduct a videography survey of the Mosque premises last month during the hearing of a plea allowing regular worship of Hindu deities in the Mosque premises, which found a Shivling-like figure near the Mosque’s vazukhana, besides Hindu religious symbols. All the evidence was said to be found.

The court-appointed survey commission, which surveyed the Gyanvapi structure and videograped the process, has found multiple Swastikas on the walls of the structure and has also found a Shivling in the compound.

The survey team also found a Shivling in the compound, which was disguised as a fountain by the Muslims and was used to wash hands and feet before offering prayers in the structure.

The survey commission found that the corner of the west wall of the structure has debris from old temples with the artwork of Goddess, Gods and artwork of lotuses. The foundation stone of the structure has artwork in sindoor colour.

(With Inputs from ANI)