Gyanvapi mosque case: SC defers scientific survey to determine age of 'Shivling'

New Delhi, May 19: The Supreme Court on Friday postponed the "scientific survey," including carbon dating, of a "Shivling" alleged to have been found during a videographic survey last year at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi.

The carbon dating of the "Shivling" was put on hold by a bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and KV Viswanathan, saying that the implementation of the directions contained in the Allahabad High Court's order shall stand deferred till the next date of hearing.

"Since the implications of the impugned order merit closet scrutiny, the implementation of the directions concerned in the order shall stand deferred till the next date," the bench said.

The top court further issued notice to the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government on the appeal of the Gyanvapi mosque management committee against the High Court's recent order for scientific investigation by ASI to determine the age of "Shivling".

Senior counsel Huzefa Ahmadi, who appeared on behalf of the Gyanvapi mosque management committee, informed the bench that the carbon dating and survey would begin on Monday.

Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India, appearing for the State of Uttar Pradesh, submitted that there should be no damage to the structure which one side claims a "Shivling" and the other calls a fountain.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is representing the Hindu petitioners in the matter, stated that ASI experts have already advised him that no damage will be done to the structure.

During the survey, a structure, alleged by the Hindus to be a "Shivling" and a "fountain" by the Muslims, was found in the mosque premises on May 16 last year during a court-mandated survey of the mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

- ANI

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