Hindu puja to continue in Gyanvapi's 'Vyas Tehkhana': Allahabad HC dismisses plea

The Allahabad High Court delivered a significant judgment on Monday, dismissing the Gyanvapi Mosque committee's appeal against the Varanasi district court's ruling. The Varanasi court had earlier granted permission for prayers to be offered in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque, known as the ‘Vyas Tehkhana’. Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal of the Allahabad HC pronounced the judgment after reviewing the case records and considering arguments from both parties.

In its verdict, the Allahabad High Court stated, “The court did not find any ground to interfere in the judgment passed by the district judge dated 17.01.2024 appointing DM, Varanasi as receiver of the property as well as the order dated 31.01.2024 by which the district court had permitted Puja in the Tehkhana.” This decision upholds the Varanasi district court's ruling allowing prayers in the Tehkhana.

Hailing the verdict, Advocate Prabhash said that it is a “big victory of the Sanatana Dharma”. “The judge dismissed the pleas that the Muslim side had filed against the District Judge's order...It means that the puja will continue as it is."

The Varanasi court on January 31 had ruled that the Hindu side can offer prayers in the southern cellar of Gyanvapi mosque - the ‘Vyas Tehkhana’. The court had also directed the district magistrate to make arrangements for ‘puja’ and a ‘pujari’ nominated by Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust.