VARANASI: After hearing both sides in a petition filed to seek permission for offering regular worship at Shringar Gauri situated on the outer wall of the highly sensitive Gyanvapi mosque, the court reserved its order on Wednesday and fixed April 26 as the next date to pronounce the verdict.
Earlier, the court of the civil judge (senior division) Ravi Kumar Diwakar had appointed Ajay Kumar as advocate commissioner in this case, fixing the next date of hearing on April 20. The court had also asked the advocate commissioner to ensure videography of his exercise and also seek assistance of police if required. Police officers were also asked to assist the advocate commissioner in this work.
Meanwhile, the district government counsel submitted a prayer to the court on April 18, seeking attention towards the sensitivity of the issues like videography and entry in the mosque premises.
The court on Wednesday heard the arguments of both sides and kept its order reserved, which will be pronounced on April 26.
The writ was filed on April 18, 2021 by Delhi-based Rakhi Singh, Laxmi Devi, Sita Sahu, Manju Vyas and Rekha Pathak demanding permission for daily worship and performing rituals at Shringar Gauri, Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman and Nandi and stopping opponents from causing any damage to the statues.
The image of Goddess Shringar Gauri is located within the outer wall of the highly sensitive Gyanvapi mosque. After security of this mosque was beefed up following demolition of Babri mosque during Ram Janmabhoomi movement, regular entry of devotees was stopped and worshipping this deity was allowed only on the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri.
