Gyanvapi Masjid Case: Protect 'Shivling' area, but don't stop Namaz, says SC

Gyanvapi Masjid Case LIVE: Supreme Court orders that DM Varanasi shall ensure that the area where the Shivling is reported to be found, shall be duly protected. Supreme Court also ordered that direction to protect the area where Shivling is reported to be found shall not in any manner restrain or impede access of Muslims to the mosque or use of it for performing prayers and religious observances.

Image credit: ANI

Today (May 17), the Supreme Court is heared the plea seeking a stay on the survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi. A bench, headed by Justice DY Chandrachud, heared the plea of the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee. The three-day-long court-monitored videography survey of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi concluded on Monday. Commissioner of Police Varanasi, Satish Ganesh thanked the people of Kashi for their cooperation during the three-day survey, and said, "We spoke with all stakeholders and reached a consensus that it`s important to follow court's order. We also cleared people's misconceptions and worked on confidence building. The three-day survey has ended."

17 May 2022

21:52 IST

Punjab | Farmers sit on a protest at the Chandigarh-Mohali border against the state government after police stopped them from entering Chandigarh

"Our protest will continue until our 11 demands are fulfilled," says a farmer pic.twitter.com/AIWGrrKvGJ

— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2022

21:52 IST

#WATCH | Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, CBFC members Prasoon Joshi, Vani Tripathi & Ricky Kej at the India pavilion at #CannesFilmFestival2022

India has been named the Country of honour at Marché du Film - festival de Cannes. pic.twitter.com/zxs5mXyA5N

— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2022

19:49 IST

Delhi | Fire breaks out in Atlantis Banquet Hall at GT Karnal Road. 12 fire tenders have rushed to the spot. The process of extinguishing the fire is underway. Further details awaited: Delhi Fire Service pic.twitter.com/dIXGhy6j5F

— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2022

18:33 IST

Rajasthan Police Constable 2022 paper leak: Special Operations Group arrests 8 people in connection with the matter.

17:55 IST

Gujarat | A large number of trucks laden with wheat stuck at Kandla port in Kutch district after Centre's wheat export ban pic.twitter.com/lHjsSaICJU

— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2022

17:54 IST

Calcutta High Court directs CBI to interrogate State Education Minister Paresh Adhikari in connection with Class 11th and 12th teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal. The HC also urged the Chief Minister and West Bengal Governor to remove Paresh Adhikari from the cabinet. (ANI)

16:37 IST

Uttar Pradesh | Court has granted two days time to submit the report. He (Advocate-Commissioner Ajay Kumar Mishra) was not cooperating: Assistant Court Commissioner Ajay Pratap Singh on Gyanvapi mosque report survey pic.twitter.com/u9WXJpAG4j

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 17, 2022

16:35 IST

Varanasi Court commissioner Ajay Mishra removed with immediate effect.

16:19 IST

Punjab Police stop farmers from moving towards Chandigarh as the latter are marching towards the state's capital to protest against the state govt over various issues.

Mohali | Punjab Police stop farmers from moving towards Chandigarh as the latter are marching towards the state's capital to protest against the state govt over various issues pic.twitter.com/7wjefplv2u

— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2022

15:48 IST

Supreme Court starts hearing the plea of Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, challenging the order of Varanasi court which ordered a videographic survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex, which is adjacent to the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. (ANI)

15:47 IST

Sri Lanka | Fuel stations put up 'No Petrol' posters amid severe shortage of petrol-diesel

Petrol stocks only for a day, said PM Ranil Wickremesinghe y'day

We're waiting since early hours of day, but petrol is yet to come. People are waiting in kilometers-long queue, say locals pic.twitter.com/Mqn2VNu62W

— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2022

15:20 IST

All India Muslim Personal Law Board calls an urgent meeting of its executive committee on 17th May. The current issues of the country, including Gyanvapi Masjid, Tipu Sultan Masjid, and other issues will be discussed. The Board will decide its future course of action. (ANI)

15:20 IST

All India Muslim Personal Law Board calls an urgent meeting of its executive committee on 17th May. The current issues of the country, including Gyanvapi Masjid, Tipu Sultan Masjid, and other issues will be discussed. The Board will decide its future course of action. (ANI)

15:20 IST

All India Muslim Personal Law Board calls an urgent meeting of its executive committee on 17th May. The current issues of the country, including Gyanvapi Masjid, Tipu Sultan Masjid, and other issues will be discussed. The Board will decide its future course of action. (ANI)

15:20 IST

All India Muslim Personal Law Board calls an urgent meeting of its executive committee on 17th May. The current issues of the country, including Gyanvapi Masjid, Tipu Sultan Masjid, and other issues will be discussed. The Board will decide its future course of action. (ANI)

14:42 IST

The tourism sector in Sri Lanka suffers a blow amid the economic situation in the country. Temple management of Ashok Vatika - Seetha Amman Kovil - in Sita Eliya says that its upkeep has become difficult in the absence of tourists. (ANI)

14:23 IST

A no-confidence motion tabled by the Opposition against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was defeated in Parliament on Tuesday, in a comfortable win for the embattled President amidst nationwide protests demanding his resignation due to the country's worst-ever economic crisis.

14:22 IST

Elon Musk says deal to buy Twitter can't go forward unless company can show that less than 5% of accounts are fake or spam, reports AP

14:00 IST

Haridwar Dharma Sansad: Supreme Court directs accused Jitendra Narayan Tyagi to give undertaking that he will not indulge in hate speech.

13:58 IST

Haridwar Dharma Sansad: Supreme Court grants interim bail for three months to accused Jitendra Narayan Tyagi alias Waseem Rizvi in hate speech case.

13:36 IST

President of the Hindu Sena, Vishnu Gupta, has filed an intervention application seeking directions for dismissal of the petition filed by Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Management Committee challenging the videographic survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex.

13:28 IST

While the focus is today on Supreme Court's hearing on the Gyanvapi case, the Saket Court today adjourned the hearing for May 24, on an appeal regarding the restoration of 27 Hindu and Jain temples in the Qutub Minar complex in Mehrauli. An appeal suit alleging that the Quwwat-Ul-Islam Masjid situated within the Qutub Minar complex in Mehrauli was built in place of a temple complex. The suit, filed on behalf of Jain deity Tirthankar Lord Rishabh Dev and Hindu deity Lord Vishnu (through their next of friends), seeks restoration of the alleged temple complex, comprising as many as 27 temples. The matter would now be heard next on May 24.

13:24 IST

The Indian government has announced a relaxation to its order restricting wheat exports. It's been decided that wherever wheat consignments have been handed over to Customs for examination and registered into their systems on or prior to 13th May, such consignments would be allowed for export, the government of India said.

13:12 IST

Taking strong exception, India's Ministry of External Affairs has said, "We categorically reject the farcical resolution passed by the National Assembly of Pakistan on delimitation exercise in Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistan has no locus standi to pronounce on or interfere in matters that are internal to India, including Indian territories under Pakistan’s illegal occupation."

13:12 IST

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is reviewing the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir following several targeted killings, including of Kashmiri Pandits, in the union territory, said officials.

13:11 IST

In Mumbai, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched two indigenously built warships - 'Surat' and 'Udaygiri'.

13:10 IST

Gujarat ATS arrested four accused in the 1993 Bombay serial blasts case.

13:09 IST

The Supreme Court has reserved an order on the interim bail plea of Azam Khan in a matter concerning the Kotwali police station in Uttar Pradesh.

13:01 IST

Talking about the CBI search at P Chidambaram's house today, Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge said, "BJP is trying to weaken the Congress by raiding its members. Chidambaram is a good lawyer and an economist. This is the effect of speeches, and debates he participates in. People vocal in Congress are being targeted. They (BJP) want to bring autocracy in the state (Karnataka)." 

12:59 IST

 Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader, said, "Gyanvapi matter is in court. But the status of all mosques, temples, and other spaces of religious worship in 1947 had to be maintained as such. Thus a law too was made regarding it - Places of Worship Act 1991. A few are trying to divide people."

12:58 IST

Gyanvapi mosque survey: Special Commissioner Advocate Vishal Singh has sought a minimum of two days to prepare a Commission report on the matter.

12:25 IST

P Chidambaram took to Twitter on Tuesday and wrote, "This morning, a CBI team searched my residence at Chennai and my official residence at Delhi. The team showed me an FIR in which I am not named as an accused. The search team found nothing and seized nothing. I may point out that the timing of the search is interesting."

12:24 IST

India is targeting the rollout of 6G telecom network, which will provide ultra high speed internet connectivity, by the end of the decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday. India currently has 3G and 4G telecom networks and companies are gearing up to launch 5G over the next few months.

11:46 IST

Supreme Court has directed Enforcement Directorate to interrogate Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee and his wife in Kolkata instead of Delhi, in a money-laundering probe linked to an alleged coal scam in West Bengal. The apex court also said it would not tolerate any kind of obstruction and interference by the state machinery when ED interrogates Abhishek Banerjee and his wife in Kolkata.

11:43 IST

Connectivity will decide the country's progress in the 21st century, PM Narendra Modi said at the telecom sector regulator Trai's silver jubilee celebration. He added, "5G telecom network will boost Indian economy by USD 450 billion in next one and half decade."

11:38 IST

Traffic movement on Badrinath Highway 07 was disrupted near Panchpulia in Karnprayag due to boulders falling from the hill. Badrinath Yatra stopped through this route due to the closure of the highway, the operation to open the route is underway, reports ANI.

11:27 IST

"The Puranas clearly mention in detail about Gyanvapi Temple and a 'jyotirling' placed there. There is no doubt that the present-day Gyanvapi mosque was a part of the temple complex mentioned in our scriptures," said Nagendra Pandey, President, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust Council.

11:26 IST

Lawyer Vishnu Jain said, "Yesterday, we found the evidence before 1 pm, the time of namaz, so it was important to protect the evidence. Court gave interim protection as it was an urgent situation. I reject the claim of the Muslim side. It was a Shivling there, and it was a temple and it will remain." 

10:43 IST

The CBI has filed a fresh case against Lok Sabha MP Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P Chidambaram, for allegedly facilitating visas of 250 Chinese nationals after receiving illegal gratification of Rs 50 lakh, officials said on Tuesday.

10:34 IST

The Uttarakhand government has said that pilgrims coming from across the country on the Chardham Yatra need to compulsorily register on the Tourism Department's portal before starting the journey. Pilgrims travelling without registration will not be allowed to go beyond Rishikesh, the state government said.

10:28 IST

While all eyes are on the much-in-news Supreme Court hearing on Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi Mosque survey in Varanasi, a Mathura local court will be hearing a similar plea seeking videography of the Shahi Idgah Masjid adjacent to Krishnajanmabhoomi. The petition seeks the assessment of the site “on the lines of (the) Gyanvapi mosque” to determine “the existence of Hindu artifacts and ancient religious inscriptions on the mosque premises”

10:21 IST

 The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board has termed as "unfair" and an "attempt to create communal disharmony" the sealing of a pond in the Gyanvapi Masjid complex after it was claimed that a Shivling was found there during a survey. During a court-mandated videography survey, the counsel representing the Hindu side claimed that the Shivling was found close to the "wazookhana"-- a small reservoir used by Muslim devotees to perform ritual ablutions before offering the namaz.

10:08 IST

Advocate Vishal Singh, the Court-appointed special assistant commissioner, in Varanasi, however, said that they will try to submit the completed survey before the court in time. "The survey report is nearly complete and we are trying to submit the report to the court in time," he said. 

09:57 IST

Assistant Court Commissioner Ajay Pratap Singh has now said on Gyanvapi mosque report survey, "The survey lasted for 3 days from May 14-16. Only 50% report is ready, it's not complete yet, which is why won't be able to produce it before the court today. We will seek 3-4 days' time from the court."

09:49 IST

Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on the Gyanvapi row today, all eyes are on the court as to what decision it will take. The Supreme Court will hear an appeal against the Allahabad High Court order which dismissed a petition challenging a Varanasi court`s order to appoint an advocate as a court commissioner to inspect the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

09:47 IST

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) searches three locations of Congress leader Karti Chidambaram in Mumbai, in an ongoing case. Police presence was seen at Congress leader P Chidambaram's residence in Chennai as CBI searched multiple locations of his son Karti Chidambaram in connection with an ongoing case.

Tamil Nadu | Police presence at Congress leader P Chidambaram's residence in Chennai as CBI searches multiple locations of his son Karti Chidambaram in connection with an ongoing case pic.twitter.com/LQIv9LdCHX

— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2022

09:41 IST

PM Narendra Modi to address a programme marking the silver jubilee celebrations of Telecom Regulatory Authority Of India at 11 am, via video conferencing. He will also release a postal stamp to commemorate the occasion.

09:41 IST

The survey was conducted in accordance with the Varanasi Civil Court`s order to continue the survey despite objections from the mosque authorities. After the conclusion of the survey, the Varanasi court ordered the District Magistrate of Varanasi, Kaushal Raj Sharma, "to seal the area where the Shivling was found and to bar people from going to the place."

09:40 IST

The three-day-long court-monitored videography survey of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi concluded on Monday. As the survey was completed, the Hindu petitioner in the case, Sohan Lal Arya on Monday (May 16) claimed that the committee found a Shivling at the complex. Arya, who accompanied the court commission for the mosque survey, said that they have found "conclusive evidence".