Allahabad HC To Pronounce Verdict On Ownership Dispute Of Gyanvapi Complex In Varanasi Today

Prayagraj, December 19 (TNA) The all-important decision of the Allahabad High Court (HC) in the ownership dispute of Gyanvapi complex will be delivered on Tuesday. On December 8, the court had reserved its decision after hearing on five petitions was completed.

The court had heard the petitions filed by all the parties and the arguments of all the parties on this matter were completed on December 8, after which the single bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Aggarwal had reserved the decision.

The five petitions have been filed by Anjuman Arrangement Masjid Committee and UP Sunni Central Waqf Board. Of these, two petitions were filed by Anjuman Intejamia Masjid Committee regarding the maintainability of the civil suit and three petitions were against the ASI survey.

Senior advocate Syed Farman Naqvi presented the argument on behalf of the Muslim side had said that this case is hindered by the Places of Worship Act of 1991, hence the trial court cannot hear these petitions. The lower court of Varanasi had rejected the objection of the mosque committee. The same order has been challenged in the Allahabad High Court in these petitions. After completion of the debate on the petitions of the Masjid Committee, the court has reserved the decision.

Along with this, two petitions were also filed by Sunni Central Waqf Board regarding maintainability of civil suit. Advocate Puneet Gupta had presented his side on the petitions filed by UP Sunni Central Waqf Board. After completion of the debate on these petitions also, the decision was reserved. Whereas, three petitions were filed regarding the ASI survey of the disputed complex, on which not much emphasis was given by the Muslim side. The court had reserved the decision in this case after hearing all the parties.

What is the whole matter of Gyanvapi controversy

In 1991, a demand has been made to hand over the disputed premises to Hindus and to allow worship there. This case was filed in the district court of Varanasi in 1991. The main thing the Allahabad High Court has to decide in its decision is whether the Varanasi court can hear this case or not.

Apart from this, whether further survey can be done under the trial court's order to have the disputed premises surveyed by ASI or not. The single bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Aggarwal had reserved the decision after the completion of the arguments, on which the Allahabad High Court will give its important decision today.

On behalf of the mosque, questions were raised on the exploitability of the civil suit and arguments were given that it is prohibited by the Places of Worship Act-1991 and Order 7 and Rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure. At the same time, it was said from the Hindu side that this Act is not applicable in this case. Dozens of cases from the High Court to the Supreme Court were cited by both the parties to support their arguments.

Earlier, the bench of Justice Prakash Padia had reserved its decision on these petitions. Even before he could deliver the verdict, the then Chief Justice Pritinkar Diwakar transferred the case to himself. Justice Rohit Ranjan Aggarwal heard the case after his retirement in November.

ASI filed report in Varanasi

On the other hand, on Monday, as per the court order, the report related to the survey of Gyanvapi complex was filed in a sealed envelope by the ASI in the District Court of Varanasi. Now the District Judge has fixed December 21 to open the envelope and give the survey report to the parties.