India

Gyanvapi Case: Varanasi Court Rejects Hindu Side’s Plea For Additional ASI Survey

A Varanasi court rejected a plea for an additional survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the Gyanvapi complex. The Civil Judge (senior division) of the Fast Track Court dismissed the petition filed by Vijay Shankar Rastogi on Friday.

Hindu Side Plans for Appeal

After the ruling, Rastogi announced plans to appeal in the High Court. He stated, “We are planning to move High Court against the decision of the court rejecting our petition for additional survey.” Rastogi argued that the previous ASI survey was incomplete. He said it did not cover the Wuzukhana and the central dome. He also noted that the 2021 High Court directive to form a five-member team, including a representative from a central university, was not followed.

Ongoing Controversy

Lawyer Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, who represented the Hindu side, expressed disappointment. He said the court did not accept their plea for an additional survey in critical areas. The Gyanvapi Mosque remains controversial. Some believe it was built on the remnants of the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Various petitions have been filed in different courts, including the Supreme Court and Allahabad High Court.

The legal battle began in 1991 when a petition sought to restore Gyanvapi land to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Petitioners claimed Aurangzeb constructed the mosque after destroying part of the temple in the 16th century. After the Supreme Court’s Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi verdict in 2019, Rastogi filed a petition. The court then directed the ASI to conduct a scientific survey. The Allahabad High Court paused Varanasi court proceedings in 2021, citing the Places of Worship Act, 1991. This act prevents changes to the religious character of places of worship as of August 15, 1947.

Also Read: SC Dismisses Madhu Koda’s Plea To Stay Conviction Ahead Of Jharkhand Assembly Elections

Ajaypal Choudhary

Recent Posts

President Donald Trump’s Executive Order Imposes 27% Additional Duty On Indian Goods

US President Donald Trump’s executive order has raised tariffs on Indian imports by 27%, prompting…

40 seconds ago

Adani Airports Expands DigiYatra Services To Mangaluru & Thiruvananthapuram

Adani Airports has launched DigiYatra at Mangaluru and Thiruvananthapuram airports, enhancing digital passenger services.

2 mins ago

PM Modi Receives Guard Of Honor In Bangkok; Holds Talks With Thai Counterpart

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honor upon his arrival in…

18 mins ago

SC Expresses Displeasure Over Delay In Nithari Murder Case Hearing

The Supreme Court criticized the CBI and UP government for seeking to delay the hearing…

39 mins ago

SC Reserves Verdict On BRS MLAs’ Disqualification; Criticizes Telangana CM

The Supreme Court has reserved its decision on the petition seeking the disqualification of BRS…

45 mins ago

Gautam Adani Visits Kanpur Defence Facility; Highlights Commitment To Self-Reliance

On 5 March, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani visited Adani Defence in Kanpur, praising its…

48 mins ago