SC agrees to hear Muslim side’s appeal challenging HC’s decision to determine age of ‘Shivling’ at Gyanvapi

The Supreme Court agreed on Friday, to hear a petition challenging the Allahabad High Court’s order to carry out a “scientific survey,” including carbon dating, to ascertain the age of a “Shivling” allegedly discovered at Varanasi’s Gyanvapi mosque complex.

Judges P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, along with Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, agreed to submit the case for hearing on Friday after taking note of senior attorney Huzefa Ahmadi’s arguments on behalf of the Gyanvapi mosque management committee.

“The Allahabad High Court has passed an order pending the appeal,” the senior lawyer said.

On May 12, the Allahabad High Court commanded that the alleged Shivling in the Gyanvapi mosque be dated using contemporary methods.

It overturned a Varanasi District Court decision from October 14 that rejected the request for a scientific investigation, including carbon dating, of the structure discovered in May 2022 during a survey of the mosque close to the Kashi Vishwanath temple that was ordered by the court.

The high court instructed the Varanasi district judge to handle the Hindu devotees’ request for a scientific investigation of the “Shivling” in accordance with the law.