Apex court transfers Gyanvapi case from civil judge to Varanasi district judge

New Delhi, May 21: Considering the complexity of the matter, the Supreme Court of India on Friday (May20) ordered the transfer of the Gyanvapi masjid case from civil judge to Varanasi district judge. A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant and PS Narasimha ordered the apex court's decision.

 

 

 

 

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant and PS Narasimha ordered on Friday about the ongoing complex case of the Gyanvapi Masjid, that a senior and experienced judicial officer of Uttar Pradesh higher Judicial Service should examine the case. According to the bench, District judge should decide the maintainability of the civil suit in the Gyanvapi - Kashi Vishwanath case on priority as sought by Committee of Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Varanasi.

 

 

 

 

 

The bench ordered, "Having regard of the sensitivity of the civil suit, this case before the civil judge of Varanasi shall stand transferred and be heard by a senior and experienced judicial officer of UP Judicial services." Thus the case was transferred from civil judge (Senior division), Varanasi to District Judge, Varanasi.

 

The bench further ordered that its interim order passed on May 17, to protect the area of the Shiv linga was found and access to Muslims for namaz, shall continue in operation till maintainability of the suit is decided and thereafter for eights weeks to enable parties to pursue legal remedies. The court also also asked the Dsstrict Magistrate Varanasi to make alternate arrangements for Wazy after consulting both the parties. The bench has now posted the matter for hearing in July second week.