Gyanvapi row: SC to hear 'wuzu' plea on April 14

Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on April 14 a fresh plea of the Gyanvapi mosque management committee seeking permission to perform the Islamic ritual of 'wuzu' (abulation) near the spot where a 'Shivling' has been found.

The 'wuzu' area of the Gyanvapi mosque is central to the Gyanvapi mosque-Kashi Vishwanath temple dispute as Hindu parties say that 'Shivling' has been found at the spot while Muslim side claim that it is only a water fountain.

In its plea, the Muslim side requested the Bench hearing the case to take up the 'wuzu' matter for hearing soon, saying the month of Ramzan is underway and adequate arrangements would have to be made.

They have submitted that the water for 'wazu' is being used from a drum and the number of worshippers has increased in view of Ramzan. The Bench, comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Surya Kant, said the matter will be taken up for hearing on April 14.

On March 28, the apex court had agreed to list for hearing on April 21 a plea of the Hindu side seeking consolidation of all suits filed in a Varanasi court pertaining to the Gyanvapi mosque complex row.

The Bench had taken note of the submissions of lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain that the District Judge of Varanasi has deferred five times the decision on a plea seeking clubbing of all civil suits pertaining to the dispute.

The apex court had earlier allowed the Hindu parties to move an application before the Varanasi judge for consolidation of all lawsuits filed on the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri row.

It had also directed the Hindu parties to file their replies within three weeks to the appeal by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee challenging the Allahabad High Court order on appointment of a Survey Commissioner.

On May 17 last year, the top court had passed an interim order directing the Varanasi district magistrate to ensure protection of the area inside the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri complex where the structure claimed to be a 'Shivling' was found during a video survey ordered by the court of the Civil Judge (Senior Division) in Varanasi.

The mosque committee, however, maintained the structure was part of the water fountain mechanism at the 'wazukhana', the reservoir where devotees perform 'wuzu' before offering namaz.

The apex court had transferred the case to the District Judge on May 20 last, pointing at the "complexities" and the "sensitivity" of the issue and saying that a more senior judicial officer should handle it.

In its order of May 17 last year, the top court had directed protection of the area around the 'Shivling' while also allowing Muslims to offer namaz in the mosque.

It had said the interim order shall remain in operation till the maintainability of the suit is decided by the District Judge, and then for eight more weeks to allow the aggrieved parties to approach a higher court.

with PTI inputs