Rtd District Judge Varanasi Who Permitted 'Puja' In Gyanvapi's 'Vyas Tehkhana' Appointed As Lokpal Of A State Govt University

Retired District Judge, Varanasi AK Vishvesha, who permitted 'Pooja' inside Vyas Tehkhana within the Gyanvapi Mosque premises on his last working day (January 31), has been appointed as the Lokpal of Dr Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University, Lucknow, an Institution established by the State Govt).

The university, set up primarily to serve the differently-abled segment (challenged students) of society, has appointed Rtd Judge Vishvesha as an Ombudsman of the University, to solve students's concerns, for a period of three years.

For context, on January 31st, Rtd Judge Vishwesha directed the district Administration to make appropriate arrangements within 7 days for Hindus to conduct worshipping rituals inside one of the sealed cellars/basement/tahkhana (vyas ji ka tehkhana) inside the existing Gyanvapi mosque complex. The order was passed in an application moved by Hindu plaintiffs seeking the right to worship in the 'tehkhana' (basement) inside the Gyanvapi Mosque premises. Worship at this spot was stopped in the year 1993.

His appointment is as per the UGC regulations which mandate that the Universities must appoint an Ombudsperson for redressal of grievances of students at the university and colleges/ institutions affiliated with the university. As per the UGC Circular issued in this regard, a Lokpal could be a retired vice-chancellor, retired professor or a retired district judge.