The Supreme Court Friday said that its May 17 interim order protecting the area in the Gyanvapi mosque complex, where a ‘Shivling’ was claimed to have been found during a video graphics survey of the mosque premises, would continue.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice Surya Kant and Justice PS Narasimha extended the interim order until further orders.
Earlier, the top court had clarified that the order for the protection of “shivling” area will not obstruct the rights of Muslims to offer namaz and other religious observances in the mosque, according to Live Law.
The apex court was considering a special leave petition filed by Anjuman Intezemia Masjid Committee challenging the survey ordered by the Varanasi Civil Court in a suit filed by five Hindu women seeking the right to worship the deities in the mosque premises throughout the year.
The centuries-old mosque, a target of Hindu nationalist groups after Babri Masjid which was demolished by Hindutva groups.
