The Supreme Court on Friday transferred the Gyanvapi Masjid suit proceedings from a civil judge to the district judge of Varanasi, saying the social complexities of the dispute required a "more senior and experienced judicial officer" at the helm.
A Special Bench led by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud directed the district judge to hear on priority a challenge moved by the Anjuman Intejamia Masjid, the mosque's caretakers, against the suit filed last year by five Hindu women who want untrammelled rights to worship Maa Shringar Gauri, Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman and other “visible and invisible deities" within the mosque premises. The Anjuman argues that the suit is barred in law.
Meanwhile, the apex court said its May 17 interim order to protect the area where a shivling was reportedly found would continue while Muslims would be able to offer namaaz in the mosque. The court ordered the District Magistrate to make appropriate arrangements, if not already made, for Muslims to offer wazu khana before namaaz at the mosque.
