Move proper petition for survey of sealed area: SC

{HINDU PLAINTIFFS TOLD} GYANVAPI CASE

- Utkarsh Anand

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Hindu women plaintiffs in the Gyanvapi mosque case to move a proper application demanding an archaeological survey of a section in the mosque where the Hindu side insists a Shivling has been found, while the Muslims says it is part of a fountain in an ablution tank.

A bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, asked senior counsel Madhavi Divan to file a formal application after the latter made a request for a survey of the area that has remained sealed under the order of the top court.

"You file a proper application and then, we will see," the bench, which also comprised justices JB Pardiwala and Manj Misra, told Divan, who appeared for the Hindu women plaintiffs. To be sure, an order of survey would mean modification of the May 2022 order of the top court.

Meanwhile, the bench on Tuesday allowed a plea by the Hindu women plaintiffs seeking a directive to the Varanasi district magistrate for cleaning that section of the mosque complex.