The Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana declined to order status quo on the ongoing gyanvapi mosque survey. Although he agreed to consider an urgent listing of plea that challenges the videography in process of the survey at the mosque.
The plea was filed by the ‘Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee‘ (the caretakers of the gyanvapi mosque), asking to put hold on the survey. They challenged the validity of Allahabad High Court’s order issued on 21st April which dismissed plea against the civil court’s order for a survey.
The CJI, on Friday, said that he would examine and consider listing a plea to stop the investigation, survey and videography of the mosque premises by the advocate commissioner appointed by the local court.
Senior Advocate Huzifa Ahmadi, who is appearing for Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee requested an urgent listing of the case.
Defending the case, he said that survey was ordered despite the fact the protection of the mosque is guaranteed under the places of worship act. He also requested for a status quo.
‘Please order a status quo’, he said.
The CJI replied, “ “Let me look at the papers of the case… How can I pass orders now? I will read and then pass orders. We will see and list it,”
History of the Dispute-
A case was filed by five Hindu women in the local court. They demanded daily access to worship at the Shringar Gauri Temple, which is located outside the western wall of the mosque.
The local courts had asked the authorities to submit the report of the survey on May 10. However, the survey could not be completed due to objections regarding videography inside the mosque by the mosque committee.
The court also rejected the plea by the committee to replace the advocate commissioner Ajay Kumar Misra. The committee accused him of bias in favour of the Hindu plaintiffs. After three days of rigorous arguments, the court ordered that the survey shall continue.
Court appointed two more advocate commissioners- special advocate commissioner Vishal Singh, Assistant advocate commissioner Ajay Pratap Singh, to assist Ajay Misra in videography.
It ordered the commission to complete the inspection and submit the report on May 17.
Court also empowered the local committee to remove any obstruction in the way of obstruction and videography.
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