NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday extended the protection to 'Shivlingam' found at the Gyanvapi mosque complex, till further orders.
A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices Surya Kant and P S Narasimha said the interim order passed on May 17 would continue in operation till further orders.
Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Varanasi submitted he has no objection to the continuation of the interim order.
During the hearing, senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for one of the parties of Hindu side, contended the petition filed by the other side, has become infructuous as the masjid side has participated in the proceedings of the matter.
Ahmadi, however, contended he would require time to respond to the contention.
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing women Hindu devotees, had on Thursday mentioned the matter before a bench, saying eight weeks protection was likely to end on November 12.
Jain also submitted that the Varanasi court had already given its finding that the suit filed by the women was maintainable and a revision application against the order was pending before the Allahabad High Court.
A Varanasi court on November 8, postponed till November 14 its judgment on a separate plea seeking permission to allow worship of the Shivling claimed to be found on the premises of the mosque.
On May 17, the Supreme Court said the area within Gyanvapi mosque where Shivling has been found need to be protected, but there should be no restriction on Muslims entering the mosque to offer namaz.
On May 20, the Supreme Court transferred the proceedings of the suit by Hindu parties seeking worshipping rights at the Gynavapi mosque to the district judge in Varanasi.
