The original suit was filed in 1991 in the Varanasi district court
New Delhi: Secure the 'Shivling' area inside Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque but don't stop the Muslims from praying, the Supreme Court directed the District Magistrate of Varanasi today. A bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and PS Narasimhawhile was hearing a plea by the management of Gyanvapi mosque against the survey of the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri complex.
The court also asked the Varanasi administration where exactly the 'Shivling' (symbol of Lord Shiva) was found inside the mosquein the Uttar Pradesh city.
"Where exactly was the Shivling found?" Justice DY Chandrachud said.
"We haven't seen the report," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Uttar Pradesh government, replied, and sought time till tomorrow to return with details.
The top court was hearing the matter amid an important development with a Varanasi court, which removed the official who was leading the videography survey. Advocate commissioner Ajay Mishra was removed on grounds of non-cooperation, an official said.
Here are the Highlights on Gyanvapi Mosque Case:
"The DM Varanasi shall ensure that the area where the Shivling found is protected, without impeding the Muslims from using the mosque for worship," said the Supreme Court.
Secure shivling area but don't stop namaz, says Supreme Court
Supreme Court to continue Gyanvapi hearing on Thursday
Where was shivling found: Court to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
Where was 'shivling' found? asks judge to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
"We need a stay on all the orders. (This includes the order through which the survey was ordered)," said the petitioner in Supreme Court.
The court has given two days to the new commissioner for Gyanvapi survey submission.
Court removes commissioner in charge of survey
The Varanasi court removes commissioner in charge of survey Ajay Mishra.
"The applicants in the suit said there was a shivling somewhere near the pond, this was highly improper as the proceedings are confidential," said the petitioner.
"The suit speaks about changing the religious character which is currently the mosque,", one of the petitioner said.
Just In: Supreme Court begins hearing plea against filming inside the mosque complex
Varanasi Court hearing beginsThe commission tasked with the videography survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi sought additional time from a local court to submit its report as it is yet to be compiled, an official said.
The court had earlier asked the commission to submit the report by Tuesday.
Hindu Sena moves SC seeking dismissal of plea against surveyPresident of the Hindu Sena, Vishnu Gupta on Tuesday filed an intervention application seeking directions for dismissal of the petition filed by Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Management Committee challenging the videographic survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex, which was adjacent to the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.
The application was mentioned today before a bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud by advocate Barun Kumar Sinha, appearing for Hindu Sena, for hearing the application with the main matter today.
The bench asked the advocate to remain present in the court during the hearing.
The Supreme Court had on Friday last refused to grant an interim order of status quo on the survey. The top court, however, agreed to consider listing the plea of a Muslim party against the survey.
Gyanvapi mosque survey report not ready, Commission to seek more time from courtThe commission tasked with the videography survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex here will on Tuesday seek additional time from a local court to submit its report as it is yet to be prepared, an official said. The court had earlier asked the commission to submit the report by Tuesday.
Hindu Sena has filed a petition in the Supreme Court to intervene in the matter of a plea filed by the management committee of Anjuman Intezamiya Masjid, Varanasi seeking a stay on the Gyanvapi mosque survey.
Supreme Court to hear plea of Gyanvapi mosque committee against surveyThe Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Tuesday the plea of the management of Gyanvapi mosque against the survey of the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri complex in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
The apex court will hear the matter amidst an important development with a Varanasi court on Monday directed the district administration there to seal the spot of the survey inside the complex where allegedly 'Shivling' has been found by the surveying team.