Gyanvapi Mosque Survey: Varanasi court orders sealing of area after Shivling found

After videograhpy of Gyanvapi mosque discovered a Shivling (idol of Lord Shiva) inside its premises, a local court in Varanasi has ordered the area where idol was found, to be sealed, India Today reported. .Civil Judge (Senior Division) Ravi Kumar Diwakar ordered the District Magistrate, Varanasi to seal the area where the Shivling was found and to prohibit the entry of people into the area. The Court also directed that the District Magistrate, the Police Commissioner and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to ensure that the sealed area is safe. "Application under 78 G is allowed. The District Magistrate, Varanasi is ordered to seal the place where the Shivling has been recovered with immediate effect and the entry of any person is prohibited in the sealed place. District Magistrate, Varanasi, Commissioner of Police, Police Commissionerate, Varanasi and CRPF, Commandant, Varanasi are ordered to all the above officers will be considered personally responsible for protecting the place which has been sealed," the order said. The civil court passed the order in a suit filed in lower court by Hindu parties claiming that the mosque houses Hindu deities and Hindus should be allowed to do worship and puja at the site.The order was passed after plaintiff's counsel Harishankar Jain contended that Shivling has been recovered after the survey and the area should be sealed immediately. The development comes a day before the Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal filed by Muslim party Committee of Management of Anjuman Intezamia Masajid, challenging the videography and survey itself. .The lower court had earlier appointed a court commissioner to conduct a survey and videography of the site.The same was challenged before Allahabad High Court which dismissed the appeal on April 21.Subsequently, the Masajid Committee filed a plea before the lower court claiming that the court commissioner was biased and should be replaced.The same was dismissed on Thursday this week paving way for the survey.Meanwhile, an appeal has been filed before the Supreme Court against the April 21 order of Allahabad High Court permitting the survey.The same is slated to be heard by a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and PS Narasimha on Tuesday. .(Read Order)