Gyanvapi Mosque case: Verdict on 'Shivling' carbon dating deferred till Oct 11

The Varanasi court on Friday deferred to October 11 the hearing on the Hindu side's plea seeking carbon dating/scientific investigation of the structure found inside the Gyanvapi Mosque which they claimed to be a 'Shivling'. The Muslim side sought time to present its reply.

Varanasi (UP): A Varanasi court has deferred the hearing to October 11 the hearing on the Hindu side's plea seeking carbon dating and scientific investigation of the disputed structure, claimed to be a 'Shivling', in the Gyanvapi Mosque complex. The court will hear the arguments of the Anjuman Intezamia Committee on October 11 before pronouncing its verdict.

The Hindu side presented its arguments while the Muslim side sought time for putting forth its version. Speaking to media persons, advocate Vishnu Jain, representing the Hindu side, said, "The court asked us to clarify on two points whether the structure found inside Gyanvapi Masjid is part of this suit property or not? Second, can the court issue a commission for scientific inquiry? We have submitted our reply."

The bench of Varanasi District Judge Ajay Krishna Vishwesh gave today's order. The Hindu side that the disputed structure is part of their suit property and by virtue of Order 26 Rule 10A of CPC, the Court has the power to direct scientific investigation. Earlier on September 29, the court had reserved the order in the Gyanvapi Mosque-Shringar Gauri case.

The Hindu side had claimed that a 'Shivling' was found in the mosque premises near the 'wazukhana' during a videography survey, carried out as per the court orders. However, the Muslim side claimed that the structure that was found was a 'fountain'. Later, the Hindu side sought a carbon dating of the object they claimed to be 'Shivling'. Carbon dating is a scientific process that ascertains the age of an archaeological object.

The Hindu side demanded the scientific investigation of the 'Shivling' to be taken up by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the carbon dating of 'Argha' and the area around it. Earlier, an appeal had been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the order of the Allahabad High Court which had dismissed a PIL that sought the appointment of a committee or commission under a judge to study the nature of the structure found in the Gyanvapi Mosque, Varanasi.

The Allahabad High Court had on July 19 dismissed the plea seeking the appointment of a committee or commission to study the nature of the structure found in the Gyanvapi Mosque. The PIL moved before the High Court seeks direction from a committee to ascertain whether a Shivalinga, as claimed by the Hindus, had been found inside the mosque or if it is a fountain as claimed by Muslims.

On May 20, the Supreme Court ordered the transfer of the case related to worship at Gyanvapi mosque from the civil judge to the District Judge, Varanasi. Earlier, the Varanasi Court had dismissed a plea of Anjuman Islamia Masjid committee challenging the maintainability of the suit filed by Hindu devotees seeking worshipping rights in the Gyanvapi mosque premises.