Gyanvapi Hearing Deferred After Lawyers Strike
Varanasi, May 18: Hearing in the Gyanvapi mosque complex videography and survey case could not be held on Wednesday due to strike by the lawyers. The lawyers in Varanasi launched the protest after objectionable language was allegedly used for advocates in a letter issued by the Uttar Pradesh government.
Varanasi Bar Association office-bearer, Anand Mishra, said a special secretary of the state government issued the letter in which objectionable words were used against the lawyers, and to protest that, it was decided to observe a day-long strike on Wednesday.
Reports said that a counsel of Hindu side wrote a letter to the Bar Association requesting to continue hearing in the Gyanvapi case. A hearing on the applications of the plaintiff and the one filed by the government counsel was scheduled in the court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) Ravi Kumar Diwakar.
The plaintiff has requested the court for a survey of a basement near ‘wazookhana’. The plaintiff side in its application has pleaded that the shape and size of the Shivling could be ascertained only after entering the basement. On the other hand the District Government Counsel in his application has pointed out towards scarcity of water after the wazookhana was sealed.
He has pleaded to shift the waterline from the wazookhana, which has been sealed, so that Namazis could do wazoo. Besides, he pointed out that there were fishes in the pond and there is threat to their lives after the wazookhana was sealed. Meanwhile, a fresh application was moved by the Hindu side on Wednesday that the report of former Advocate Commissioner Ajay Kumar Mishra should also be taken as the videography on May 6 and May 7 was done under his supervision.
Mishra was removed by the court on the complaint of the Special Advocate General Vishal Singh on Tuesday that he “compromised the probe by lack of secrecy and disinterest”.
The Muslim side sought two days time to register their objections on the application moved by the plaintiff side citing strike by the lawyers and illness of their counsel. Singh has to submit his report on Thursday. During the last hearing on Tuesday the Advocate Commissioner had sought two days time to submit his report, which was granted by the court.
According to the Intezamia Committee of the mosque, the Namazis have been asked to do wazoo at their homes before coming to offer namaz in the mosque. Though alternate arrangements have also been made at the mosque for wazoo.
The Gyanvapi case was heard in the Supreme Court on Tuesday and it will again come up on Thursday. The apex court has ordered the District Magistrate of Varanasi to ensure security of the place where purportedly a Shivling was found.
