Plea against Puja in Gyanvapi cellar: Next hearing in Allahabad HC on Feb 12

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday continued hearing an application filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee challenging an order passed by Varanasi district court allowing puja to be done in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. The Bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal did not issue an order and listed the matter for further hearing on February 12.

On January 31, the Varanasi district court allowed puja (prayers) in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. The southern cellar was opened the same night and a priest performed prayers.

The same order was challenged by the mosque committee in the Supreme Court, which asked them to file the challenge in the Allahabad High Court where the case is now being heard. Senior Advocate SFA Naqvi, who represents the mosque committee, said on Wednesday, “We supplemented the arguments that we raised on Tuesday.” Advocate Hari Shankar Jain, who appeared for the Hindu plaintiff, said, “We provided the court with some documentary evidence to show that puja was done at the cellar in the past.”