NewDelhi May 19 : The Supreme Court on Thursday, 19 May, directed that the Gyanvapi mosque matter be taken up on Friday, and asked the trial court in Varanasi to desist from taking up further proceedings in the meantime.
Meanwhile, the court-appointed special assistant commissioner’s report on the mosque survey was submitted before the Varanasi court that was hearing the matter on Thursday.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued a notice on the pleas challenging the orders of a district court regarding the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, and had passed an interim order, which said that while the area within the mosque where an alleged Shivling was said to be found should be protected, Muslims must not be restricted from entering and praying in the mosque.
- The three-day survey of the Gyanvapi mosque, ordered by the Varanasi court, ended on Monday
- On Tuesday, the Varanasi court allowed two more days for the committee to present its report
- Supreme Court, on Tuesday, said that the area where the ‘Shivling’ was indicated to have been found should be secured, without restricting Muslims’ from entering and praying in the mosque
Writ To Be Filed on Behalf of Masjid Committee Challenging Existing Orders, Lawyer Tells SC
A counsel on Thursday mentioned before the Supreme Court that he will be filing a writ on behalf of the Masjid Committee challenging the three orders passed so far in the Gyanvapi mosque case, and sought for the matter to be listed along with the one to be heard on Friday.
Justice Chandrachud, who is hearing the ongoing petition, however, asked the counsel to mention his request before the Chief Justice instead as “these powers are not with us but with Chief Justice of India.”
‘The Purpose of the Places of Worship Act…’: Ex-Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court Explains
“The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act,1991, was introduced as a measure to provide and develop glorious traditions of love, peace, and harmony,” former Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Govind Mathur wrote in his piece for The Quint.
“The object of the Act is to prohibit conversion of any place of worship – and to provide for the maintenance of the religious character of any such place as it existed on the 15th day of August 1947,” he added.