A Varanasi district court has asked District Administration for ensuring appropriate arrangements for Hindus to conduct worshipping rituals inside one of the sealed cellars (vyas ji ka tehkhana) inside the existing Gyanvapi mosque complex within a week.
The worship at this spot was discontinued in 1993. The order was passed in response to a plea by Hindu plaintiffs seeking worship rights in the ‘tehkhana’ (basement) of the disputed land housing the Gyanvapi Mosque.
Judge AK Vishvesha had heard the arguments of the parties involved on this aspect and had reserved its verdict on January 30, Tuesday.
The Court said that the defendant filed an application paper no. 57C under Order 7 Rule 11D Civil Procedure Code, for disposal of this application.
The Court said that the file should be presented on 08.02.2024. Meanwhile, the plaintiff can present objections.
The Somnath Vyas tehkhana was placed inside Gyanvapi Mosque premises,and till 1993, the Vyas family conducted religious ceremonies in the basement.
Post 1993, as per the directive from the state government, the religious practices there were discontinued.
The Varanasi District administration had taken over the possession of the southern cellar within the Gyanvapi mosque complex on January 24.