Security measures for Additional Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar, who ordered the survey in the Gyanvapi case, will be increased in Uttar Pradesh due to concerns over his safety and potential threats.
Sub Inspector Prabhakar Ojha filed an FIR on June 3 at Gomtinagar police station in Lucknow against Adnan Khan of Bhopal. Khan was interrogated on June 14, and two mobile phones and a pen drive were recovered from his possession. The police reported that a conspiracy to assassinate Judge Diwakar was uncovered during the interrogation.
Accused Adnan Khan is linked to activities aimed at inciting religious discord and anti-national sentiments. Recognizing the severity of the threat, the Special Judge (NIA) of Lucknow sent a letter on June 20 to the Registrar General of the Allahabad High Court, requesting enhanced security for Judge Diwakar.
Previously stationed as Civil Judge Senior Division in Varanasi, Judge Diwakar ordered the Gyanvapi survey and faced threats in 2022. A threat letter from Kashif Ahmed Siddiqui, President of the Islamic Azad Movement, indicated distrust in a Hindu judge’s ability to make impartial decisions and suggested repercussions for declaring the mosque a temple.
The letter threatened the judge’s family, questioning why his wife and mother should be afraid if he had government protection, and accused him of siding with extremist Hindu organizations. Judge Diwakar expressed his concerns, stating that his mother fears for his life, and had reported these threats to the DGP, Additional Chief Secretary, and Police Commissioner in Varanasi.
