"I Will Read Papers & See" : CJI On Plea For Status Quo On Gyanvapi Mosque Survey

The issue relating to the survey ordered by a Varanasi court in Gyanvapi mosque on a plea by few Hindu devotees was mentioned before the Supreme Court today.

Mentioning the matter before the Chief Justice of India, Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi sought status quo of the local court's order.

"Survey has been directed in relation to Varanasi property. This is covered by Places of Worship Act. Now the Court has ordered Commissioner to conduct a survey!", Ahmadi submitted.

"Let me see", the CJI said.

Ahmadi prayed for ordering status quo on the survey.

"Please direct status quo", he prayed.

CJI NV Ramana said that he was not aware of what the issue was, as he has not seen the papers. The matter was not listed in the regular cause-list for today and the senior counsel, appearing for the mosque committee, was making an oral mentioning of the case.

"I don't know anything, how can I pass an order. I'll read and then pass orders.. let me see", CJI said.

The present special leave petition has been filed by Committee of Management, Anjuman Intezamia Masajid against order of the Varanasi Court. 

The Varanasi Court had ordered an inspection of the premises on petitions moved by five Hindu women asking for year-long access to pray at a Hindu shrine behind the western wall of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi. The site is currently opened for prayers once a year.  

The local court had earlier directed the authorities to submit a report by May 10, however, the survey could not take place as the mosque committee had opposed the videography inside the mosque.

Thereafter, a petition was filed on behalf of the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee demanding the removal of Advocate Commissioner Ajay Kumar Mishra. After 3 days of arguments, the Court ordered that the survey of the premises shall continue.

The Court has appointed 2 more lawyers as commissioners to accompany Court commissioner Ajay Mishra for the survey and further, it has been ordered the Commission to submit a report by May 17 before the court.

The court has also ordered that the entire mosque complex be surveyed and further directed that till the survey is not completed, it shall continue.