Regarding the Gyanvapi Masjid case, the Supreme Court directed the district judge to first decide the application under Order 7 Rule 11 of CPC (on maintainability) filed by the Mosque committee saying the civil suit is barred by a law of Parliament be decided upon the transfer of papers from the civil judge (senior division).
The top court stated that its earlier interim order of May 17 directing protection of the area where the 'Shivling' is said to be found and allowing Muslims to offer 'Namaz' in mosque premises will remain in effect until the district judge determines the suit's maintainability and then for eight weeks to allow aggrieved parties to seek relief from the higher court.
The bench also directed the district magistrate to make adequate arrangements for ‘wazu’ (ablution) for the Muslims coming for offering Namaz in the mosque in consultation with the parties involved in the dispute.
The Supreme Court was hearing a case filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which manages the mosque, challenging a Varanasi district court judgement requiring a videographic survey of the masjid complex, which is located next to the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the Uttar Pradesh town. Following claims of a Shivling being discovered inside the building, Hindu organisations claimed worshipping rights inside the mosque.
