New Delhi, Nov 11 (UNI) Supreme Court on Friday extended till further orders, the protection of the area inside Gyanvapi mosque where a "Shivling" was stated to have been found during the survey.
"The protection is extended till further orders. The May 17 order for protecting 'Shivlingam', will continue to remain in operations till further orders," a bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud said, in its order.
The Supreme Court in its May 17 interim order had directed the protection of an area inside Gyanvapi mosque at Varanasi where purported Shivling was discovered.
Advocate, Vishnu Shankar Jain had yesterday mentioned the matter seeking urgent hearing of the matter, as he pleaded to it that the interim order expires on November 12 and needed to be extended.
On May 17, the Supreme Court had ordered Varanasi district magistrate to seal off wuzu khana area within Gyanvapi mosque where 'Shivling' was purportedly found during a recent survey, but allowed Muslims free access to mosque for offering namaz.
UNI SM SHK1816