Allahabad High Court Refuses to Stay ‘Puja’ Inside Gyanvapi Complex

Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court on Friday declined relief to the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee in its petition against a Varanasi court order allowing Hindu worship in the sealed basement of the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

Justice Rohit Ranjan Aggarwal’s single bench has directed the Advocate General to ensure law and order both within and outside the Gyanvapi mosque premises. The next hearing is scheduled for February 6.

Previously, the mosque committee had approached the Supreme Court challenging a district judge’s order permitting puja in the southern cellar of Gyanvapi mosque. However, they were redirected to the Allahabad High Court.

During the hearing, senior advocates SFA Naqvi and Puneet Gupta, representing the mosque committee, highlighted the Hindu side’s demand for one of the four cellars, specifically the Vyas Ka Tekhana, for worship. The Muslim side argued that the Hindu side’s application was allowed on January 17, appointing a District Magistrate as a “receiver” for that portion of the mosque.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, opposed the mosque committee’s petition, emphasizing its failure to challenge the January 17 order. The High Court, refusing relief, maintained that the mosque committee did not contest the January 17 order and did not halt the district court’s decision allowing puja within the Gyanvapi mosque premises.