Lucknow: Varanasi court has ordered the removal of Ajay Kumar Misra, the commissioner who conducted field inspections in Gyanwapi. Assistant Commissioners have been given three days to file a report on the study.
A case is pending in the Varanasi Civil Court seeking permission to visit Singara Gauri Goddess at the Gyanwapi Mosque next to the Kasi Vishwanathar Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The civil court had ordered a field inspection inside the mosque. The three-day field study ended yesterday (Monday). At that time, there was a complaint that there was a Shiva lingam in Osukana where people wash their hands and feet before praying inside the mosque.
A new petition has been filed in court sealing Ozukana to protect it and not allowing more than 20 people to pray. Judge Ravi Kumar Divakar accepted the petition filed by Hindu lawyer Hari Shankar Jain.
Meanwhile, an inquiry was held this (Tuesday) evening into the objection raised by the Muslims. Lawyer Abhay Nath Yadav, appearing for the mosque administration, strongly objected to field inspector Ajay Misra. He also complained that he had acted impartially and unilaterally.
Accepting this, Judge Ravi Kumar ordered the removal of Commissioner Misra, who was in charge of the field survey, and directed that one of the Assistant Commissioners, Vishal Singh, submit the report of the field study. Following this, time was sought on behalf of Assistant Commissioner Vishal Singh to file the report. The judge adjourned the case to May 20, ordering a three-day reprieve.
Earlier, permission was sought to measure the Shivalingam in one part of the sealed mosque and break down the walls surrounding Ozukana. The judge said the decision would be made after receiving a response from mosque officials.
Commissioner Ajay Misra’s disclosure of field research information to reporters in violation of a court injunction has been a major factor in his dismissal.
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