New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday transferred the Gyanvapi mosque case pending before civil judge (senior division) to the court of the Varanasi district judge for trial.
Observing that a “slightly more mature” and “seasoned hand” should handle the Gyanvapi mosque case, the apex court suggested that the matter be heard by a district court in Varanasi.
“A slightly more seasoned and mature hand should hear this case. We’re not making aspersion on trial judge. But more seasoned hand should deal with this case and it’ll benefit all parties,” the bench said.
The bench of Justices Chandrachud, Kant and Narasimha said that now the district judge would decide on priority, the mosque management committee's plea that suit is not maintainable because of bar under Protection of Places of Worship Act, 1991.
The application filed under Order 7 Rule 11 CPC shall be decided on priority by the district judge, the order stated.
The interim order issued by the Supreme Court on 17 May will continue for eight weeks. The hearing will resume in the second week of July.