Gyanvapi mosque survey: Court rejects AIM request to change advocate commissioner

VARANASI: Rejecting the request of Anjuman Intejamia Masajid for changing the advocate commissioner in Shringar Gauri worship case, the court of the civil judge (senior division) Ravi Kumar Diwakar on Thursday ordered that Ajay Kumar Mishra will continue as advocate commissioner.
The court also appointed Vishal Singh as special advocate commissioner and Ajay Pratap Singh as assistant advocate commissioner.
The court’s strictly directed the district administration to ensure that the survey is not lingered by mentioning reasons. The court has asked to submit the survey report before it on May 17.

As per court’s directive issued on April 26, the advocate commissioner had started the work of survey and videography in the Gyanvapi premises on May 6 in presence of both parties amidst protests. But the survey was stalled on May 7 due to a protest by AIM.
The AIM also filed a petition in the court on May 7, requesting for change of advocate commissioner Ajay Kumar Mishra while accusing him of working under the pressure of the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs’ lawyer also filed a petition on May 8, praying for court’s direction for the videography of the mosque premises including the basement. It was also requested to direct the local administration and police to ensure the videography.
The hearing took place in the court till Wednesday and the court issued its order on the AIM’s petition on Thursday afternoon clearing that advocate commissioner would not be changed but he would be assisted by two more advocates to complete the survey. The court has also cleared that the survey process would not be hampered in case of absence of any of advocates.
The plaintiffs of the Shringar Gauri worship case are Rakhi Singh of Delhi, Laxmi Devi, Sita Sahu, Manju Vyas and Rekha Pathak, all natives of Varanasi, who filed the petition on April 18, 2021, seeking permission for daily worship and performing rituals at Shringar Gauri, Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman and Nandi and stopping the opponents from causing any damage to the statues. The respondents of the case include Uttar Pradesh Government, Anjuman Intezamiya Masjid and others.