Republic Day

The Anjuman Mosque Committee moved the high court on Wednesday challenging the order of the Varanasi Court directing the ASI to survey the mosque premises (except for wuzukhana). 

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud was informed by senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the mosque management committee that the court while disposing of the application for interim relief had inadvertently ordered for disposal of the main plea as well. 

A bench comprising Chief Justice Of India D. Y. Chandrachud and Justices J. B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra permitted the mosque management committee to move the Allahabad High Court to challenge the order passed by the Varanasi District Court. The apex court passed the above direction after noting that the order of the district court was pronounced at 4.30 p.m. on July 21.

The development comes days after the Varanasi court on Friday ordered an extensive survey of the barricaded area of the Gyanvapi Masjid, excluding its sealed section, by ASI to ascertain whether the mosque was built over a pre-existing Hindu temple, holding that the scientific investigation is "necessary" for the "true facts" to come out.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will carry out the scientific survey of the complex, barring the Shivling. The Hindu side in the case had filed a petition seeking the court's direction to the ASI to survey the entire Gyanvapi mosque complex. The Hindu side is represented by lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain.

The Hindu worshippers requested permission for daily worship of Hindu deities in the Gyanvapi mosque. The high court has rejected the mosque committee's challenge to the 5 Hindu women worshippers' suit pending before the Varanasi court. Last year in December, the bench of Justice J.J. Munir reserved its judgment after hearing counsel for both parties at length.

Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane on Wednesday said that, it depicts the success of start-up ecosystem, technological prowess of the country's youth and pave the way for future path-breaking trends. The event will be organised by M/s Botlabs Dynamics. Besides, for the first time, a 3-D anamorphic projection will be organised during Beating Retreat Ceremony 2023

The Court had reserved the judgment on the matter on October 27. It may be noted that the suit has been filed by Lord Vishweshwar Virajman (Swayambhu) through their next-friend Kiran Singh, who is the international general secretary of Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh (VVSS).

A bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices Surya Kant and P.S. Narasimha said the interim order passed on May 17, in connection with the protection of the area found during a survey, will remain in operation till further orders.

Hindu petitioners said that they would study the verdict and then decide whether to approach the high court. The petitioners had claimed that the 'Shivling' found in the 'wuzu khana' or reservoir of the mosque during survey work on May 16 was part of the property.