Allahabad High Court Delays Gyanvapi Mosque Survey Petition Hearing
The Allahabad High Court in Prayagraj has decided to adjourn a crucial hearing. The court pushed the date to February 3. This hearing concerns a petition that requests an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) investigation.
The petition specifically asks for a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque's wazukhana area. The wazukhana is the ablution space used for pre-prayer rituals. However, the petition excludes a key structure from this proposed survey.
Contested Structure Remains Off the Table
This excluded structure sits at the heart of the dispute. The Hindu side describes it as a Shivling, a representation of the deity Shiva. Conversely, the Muslim side maintains it is merely a fountain. The petition does not seek an ASI survey of this particular spot.
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal presided over the case. He ordered the adjournment for a clear reason. The matter is currently engaging the attention of the Supreme Court of India. An interim order from the apex court is already in operation regarding this issue.
Details of the Petition and Legal Representation
The court was hearing a civil revision petition. This petition was filed by Rakhi Singh. She is one of the plaintiffs in the original Shringar Gauri worship suit. That suit is pending before a district court in Varanasi.
During the hearing, Rakhi Singh was represented by her counsel, Saurabh Tiwari. The Gyanvapi Mosque Management Committee, acting as the respondent, had senior advocate S.F.A. Naqvi representing their interests.
The revision petition challenges an earlier order from the Varanasi district judge. That order was dated October 21, 2023. It refused to direct the ASI to conduct a survey of the wazukhana area. The only exception was the structure claimed to be the Shivling, which was already excluded from the survey request.
The legal proceedings continue to draw significant public and legal attention. All parties now await the next hearing scheduled for early February.
