VARANASI: The Varanasi district court on Friday deferred to October 11 the hearing on the Hindu side’s plea seeking carbon dating/scientific investigation of the structure found inside the Gyanvapi mosque which they claimed to be a ‘Shivaling’.
The Anjuman Intezamia Committee’s arguments will be heard by the Varanasi court on October 11 and thereafter, the court will pronounce its order on the matter.
Speaking to media persons, advocate Vishnu Jain, representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi case, said, “The court asked us to clarify on two points — whether the structure found inside the Gyanvapi Masjid is part of this suit property or not? Second, can the court issue a commission for scientific inquiry? We have submitted our reply.”
Jain further said that the Muslim side has sought some time to reply. The matter will now be heard on October 11.
The bench of Varanasi District Judge Ajay Krishna Vishwesh delivered the order.
“We said that it is part of our suit property and by virtue of Order 26 Rule 10A of CPC, the court has the power to direct scientific investigation. The Muslim side has sought some time to reply. The matter will now be heard on October 11,” he added.
On September 29, the court had reserved the order in the Gyanvapi Mosque-Shringar Gauri case after hearing arguments from both sides.
The Hindu side had claimed that a ‘Shivaling’ was found in the premises near the ‘wazukhana’ during the videography survey of the mosque premises, which was ordered by the court. However, the Muslim side said that the structure found was a ‘fountain’. The Hindu side had then submitted an application on September 22 that sought a carbon dating of the object they claimed to be ‘Shivaling’.
Carbon dating is a scientific process that ascertains the age of an archaeological object or archaeological finds. (ANI)