Allahabad HC begins hearing petition challenging Varanasi court's order for ASI survey of Gyanvapi complex

The hearing on the petition filed by the Anujam Intezamia Committee of Gyanvapi mosque started at 4 p.m. in the court of Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker. The court will resume hearing on the petition from 9:30 am on Wednesday, counsels of both sides said.

While the Muslim side filed their petitions on Tuesday, one of the plaintiffs of the Hindu side Rakhi Singh had already filed a caveat on Monday.

On July 21, the Varanasi district court issued directives to the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex and submit its report by August 4.

However, Anjuman Intezamia Committee moved the Supreme Court which in its interim order on Monday stayed the Varanasi district court’s order asking ASI to carry out a survey of Gyanvapi mosque until 5 PM on Wednesday.

"We are of the view that some breathing time should be granted to appeal," Chief Justice of India (CJI), Dr Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chadrachud, who led the bench, had said.

The apex court passed the interim order after hearing a mention by Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, challenging the Varanasi district court's order for an ASI survey of the mosque complex, adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Meanwhile, the hearing was also held on petitions related to pending cases related to Gyanvapi.

The court heard the petitions challenging the survey and the legality of the civil suits.

The HC reserved its order on the maintainability of the civil suit and will pronounce its judgment on August 28.