Latest Update on Gyanvapi Mosque: Court Allows Hindu Side to Offer Prayers at 'Vyas Ji Ka Tehkhana'

In a recent development, a Varanasi district court has granted permission to the Hindu side to conduct prayers at the 'Vyas Ji Ka Tehkhana' area situated within the Gyanvapi mosque complex. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu party, confirmed that the puja will commence within seven days, emphasizing that everyone will be entitled to participate.

According to Jain, the district administration has been instructed to make necessary arrangements within the stipulated time frame. It's noteworthy that out of the four cellars (tahkhanas) in the mosque's basement, one remains under the possession of the Vyas family, who historically resided there. The Vyas family had petitioned to resume pooja rituals in the area, citing their hereditary rights as priests.

Advocate Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, representing the Hindu side, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, noting that the order mandates compliance from the District Officer within a week.

However, Akhlaque Ahmad, the counsel for Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which manages the mosque, stated intentions to challenge the order in a higher court.

In a related matter, the Allahabad High Court has issued a notice to the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee regarding a plea contesting a Varanasi court's refusal to direct the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to survey the 'wazu khana' area within the mosque complex. The plea, filed by one of the plaintiffs in the ongoing Shringar Gauri worshipping suit, argued for the necessity of the survey to determine the property's religious significance, excluding the disputed area where a 'Shivling' is claimed to be present.

The district court's previous rejection of a similar application was based on an apex court directive to protect the area where the 'Shivling' is allegedly located, rendering it improper to order an ASI survey.