Allahabad High Court Rejects Ownership Petitions in Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath Dispute
Prayagraj, 19th December 2023: The much-anticipated verdict on the ownership dispute between Gyanvapi Masjid and Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi has been delivered by the Allahabad High Court, dismissing the petitions filed by Sunni Central Waqf Board and Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee.
The case, initiated in 1991, reached its culmination with Justice Rohit Ranjan Aggarwal presiding over the bench. Lawyer Vijay Shankar Rastogi, providing insights on the court proceedings, stated, “The petitions filed by the Muslim side were rejected… the High Court ordered the lower court to deliver a final verdict in the case within 6 months.” He further said that a survey of the Wujukhana would also be conducted.
The contention in the Varanasi court focused on the argument that the mosque premises is an integral part of the temple. In response, Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee and UP Sunni Central Waqf Board appealed in the High Court, contending that the disputed site is protected under the Places of Worship Act.
The prolonged hearing in the High Court, previously presided over by Justice Prakash Padia, saw an interesting turn when the then Chief Justice Pritinkar Diwakar took up the case for hearing before Justice Padia could deliver his verdict. After his retirement in November, Justice Rohit Ranjan Aggarwal took charge of the case and has now issued the final judgment.
