Advertisement
Varanasi : The eagerly awaited verdict on the Gyanvapi mosque case is set to be delivered by Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal of the Allahabad High Court today at 10 am. The judgment follows an appeal filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (AIMC), challenging the Varanasi District Judge’s order that permitted Hindu devotees to offer prayers inside the ‘Vyas Ka Tehkhana’ area within the Gyanvapi mosque complex.
The Gyanvapi mosque complex, a site of religious significance, contains four cellars in its basement. One of these cellars remains in the possession of the Vyas family, former residents of the area. The legal dispute has intensified over the Varanasi court’s decision to allow Hindu prayers within this specific area, prompting a protracted legal battle.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has voiced criticism over the Varanasi court’s ruling, alleging a violation of the Places of Worship Act. Owaisi raised concerns about the decision being made on the judge’s last day before retirement and questioned the allowance of Hindu prayers despite a lack of offerings since 1993. The directive to open the grills within seven days also drew scrutiny from Owaisi, who argued for a more extended appeal period. He emphasized the significance of upholding the Places of Worship Act, citing precedents set by the Supreme Court during the Babri Masjid title suit.
