In a significant development, the Allahabad High Court has delivered its verdict on the ownership dispute between the Gyanvapi Masjid and Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. The court has rejected the ownership petitions filed by Sunni Central Waqf Board and Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, ordering a final verdict from the lower court within six months.
The Verdict and Legal Background:
The ownership dispute, initiated in 1991, reached its conclusion with Justice Rohit Ranjan Aggarwal presiding over the bench. The court dismissed the petitions from the Muslim side and directed the lower court to provide a conclusive judgment within the stipulated timeframe. Additionally, a survey of the Wujukhana, the disputed site, will be conducted as part of the legal process.
Contention and Appeals:
The core of the Varanasi court case revolved around the argument that the mosque premises are an integral part of the temple. In response, Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee and UP Sunni Central Waqf Board contended that the disputed site is protected under the Places of Worship Act. The High Court, after an extended hearing, rendered its judgment, dismissing the claims made by the Muslim side.
Legal Dynamics and Judicial Shift:
The legal proceedings took an interesting turn during the prolonged hearing when the then Chief Justice Pritinkar Diwakar took up the case for hearing before Justice Prakash Padia could deliver his verdict. Following Chief Justice Diwakar’s retirement in November, Justice Rohit Ranjan Aggarwal assumed charge of the case, culminating in the recent final judgment.
