
In a significant ruling on the Gyanvapi case, the Allahabad High Court dismissed all petitions from the mosque committee challenging civil suits aimed at restoring a temple on the mosque site. The court directed the Varanasi court to complete the hearing in one of these suits, filed in 1991, within six months. The case revolves around the Gyanvapi mosque near the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, and the high court considered five petitions—three from the mosque committee and two from the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board.
Among these, three petitions questioned the viability of a 1991 suit filed in the Varanasi court on behalf of deity Adi Vishveswar Virajman. This suit sought control of the disputed premises and permission for worship. Opposing it, the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee and UP Sunni Central Waqf Board argued against its maintainability under the Places of Worship Act (Special Provisions) Act of 1991. This Act restricts altering the character of religious places as it existed on August 15, 1947.
The petitioners of the 1991 suit argued that the Gyanvapi dispute predates Independence and should not fall under the Places of Worship Act. Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal, after hearing counsels on December 8, ruled today that the 1991 suit is maintainable and not barred by the Places of Religious Worship Act, 1991.
The court emphasized that the mosque compound could have either a Muslim or Hindu character, leaving this determination for the trial court. Acknowledging the impact on two major communities, the court directed the trial court to promptly decide the suit within six months. The suit before the Varanasi court aims to restore an ancient temple at the disputed site, contending that the mosque is part of the temple.