Gyanvapi mosque ruling: All you need to know; check timeline of the case here

Today, a Varanasi court is set to deliver its verdict on a plea challenging the maintainability of the suit filed by Hindu women demanding the right to worship at the Gyanvapi Mosque compound next to the prominent Kashi Viswanath Temple.

On the other hand, the Anjuman Islamia Masjid Committee (AIMC) filed a plea questioning the maintainability citing the Places of Worship Act, 1991. The act prohibits the conversion of places of worship and provides for the maintenance of their religious character as it existed on August 15, 1947.

Gyanvapi mosque ruling: Timeline of the case

• August 2021: Five Hindu women, seeking permission for daily worship at Maa Shringar Gauri Sthal, filed a suit in Varanasi’s civil judge court (senior division). The Sthal is located inside the Gyanvapi complex.

• April 2022: The court orders a survey of the Gyanvapi complex. The survey conductes under the supervision of an advocate commissioner, appointed by the court.

• May 6, 2022: The survey starts before AIMC's advocates submit an application a day later stating that advocate commissioner Ajai Mishra is biased.

• May 12: The court refuses to remove Ajai Mishra as advocate commissioner. Additionally, it appoints senior advocate Vishal Singh as special advocate commissioner. It also orders the survey team to submit the report by May 17.

• May 14: After the court’s order, the survey resumes and continues till May 16.

• May 19: The survey team submits its report to the court. The report includes photographs, documents etc.

• May 20: Citing the complexities and sensitivity of the issue, the Supreme Court transfers the case to the Varanasi district judge. The Apex Court suggests it will be better if a senior judicial officer, with over 25-30 years of experience, handles the case.

• May 26: The hearing starts on the maintainability of the Gyanvapi case.

• August 24: After listening to the arguments of both sides, Varanasi district judge Ajay Krishna Vishvesha reserves his verdict till September 12.