‘Shivling’ Claimed to Have Been Found at Gyanvapi; Varanasi Court Orders Sealing of the Spot

New Delhi, 16 May 2022 [Fik/News Sources]: In quick succession of the developments, a Varanasi court has asked the Uttar Pradesh government, according to Livelaw, to seal the place where the ‘shivling’ purportedly found in the well of Gyanvapi mosque, as was claimed by the Hindu lawyer after the videography survey was completed on Monday.

The court has also prohibited the entry of any person into the sealed room.

In its order, the court said that the DM, police commissioner and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) commandant Varanasi will be responsible for the security of the sealed area.

An advocate from the Hindu side Madan Mohan Yadav claimed that the ‘shivling’ is 12 feet long and its diameter is eight inches and is Nandi faced.

The survey of the premises concluded around noon on Monday after three days of inspection amid heavy security in the presence of court-appointed Advocate Commissioners, lawyers from both sides, all concerned parties and officials. Nearly 65 per cent of the exercise was completed on Sunday.

Three court-appointed advocate commissioners, five lawyers each from the two sides and an assistant besides a videography team carried out the survey.

The advocate commissioners will, however, submit their report to the court on Tuesday.

The survey was conducted in accordance with the Varanasi Civil Court’s order to continue the survey despite objections from the mosque authorities.

Gyanvapi Mosque, adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, is currently facing a legal battle. A court in Varanasi has directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to probe the structure of the Gyanvapi Masjid.