New Delhi

A Varanasi court has issued orders to immediately seal the place where a Shivling, the idol of Lord Shiva, was found in the video-graphed survey in the Gyanvapi mosque. The order prohibits the entry of any person into the place.

The Court order states that it is the “personal responsibility” of the District Magistrate, the Police commissioner, and the CRPF commandant to ensure the safety and protection of the sealed place in the Gyanvapi mosque.

The development comes a day before the Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid, challenging the videography and survey itself.

Civil Judge (Senior Division) Ravi Kumar Diwakar ordered the District Magistrate, Varanasi to seal the area after the court-appointed commissioner submitted his report on the three-day survey done inside the mosque.

The Court order says:

"Application under 78 G is allowed. The District Magistrate, Varanasi is ordered to seal the place where the Shivling has been recovered with immediate effect and the entry of any person is prohibited in the sealed place. District Magistrate, Varanasi, Commissioner of Police, Police Commissionerate, Varanasi and CRPF, Commandant, Varanasi are ordered to all the above officers will be considered personally responsible for protecting the place which has been sealed." 

The civil court passed the order in a suit filed in a lower court by Hindu parties claiming that the mosque houses Hindu deities and Hindus should be allowed to do worship and puja at the site.

The order was passed after plaintiff's counsel Harishankar Jain contended that Shivling has been recovered after the survey and the area should be sealed immediately. Meanwhile, an appeal has been filed before the Supreme Court against the April 21 order of the Allahabad High Court permitting the survey. The same is slated to be heard by a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and PS Narasimha on Tuesday.