Gyanvapi Mosque: Sculptures, Sheshnag-like Structures Found, Says Removed Advocate Commissioner

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the civil court in Varanasi to not proceed with hearing the Gyanvapi mosque case till it takes up the matter on Friday.

On Tuesday, the top court had directed the district magistrate of Varanasi to ensure the protection of an area inside the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri complex where a 'Shivling' is said to have been found during a survey and allowed Muslims to offer ¡®namaz' and perform ¡°religious observances¡±.

BCCL

Advocate Commissioner submits report

Meanwhile Special Advocate Commissioner Vishal Singh, who was appointed by the Varanasi civil court to conduct a videographic survey of the complex submitted its report on Thursday.

On May 17, the court had removed Advocate Commissioner Ajay Mishra for displaying "irresponsible behaviour towards the discharge of his duties" and granted time till today to the commission to file the survey report.

BCCL

The removal order by District Civil Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar had come on an application moved by Special Advocate Commissioner who informed the court that Mishra had "deployed a personal cameraman RP Singh who was giving the wrong byte in the media on a regular basis".

The newly appointed Commissioner had submitted the report in three sealed boxes containing detailed written report, data cards of photographs and video clips of the survey since May 6 till 17.

Stone sculptures of Sheshnag and "Nag phan" like patterns found

In his report, Mishra stated, that: "Outside the barricading of the disputed area, the ruins of the old temple were found in which sculptures of gods and goddesses and patterns of lotus were seen. In the middle, stone sculptures of Sheshnag and "Nag phan" like patterns were seen. All the slabs seemed to be part of a big edifice."

Reuters

"Further four idol like structures with "Sinduri" mark were observed. It seemed that arrangements for lighting diyas were there. The stone slabs with artistic patterns were kept in the west wall behind the mosque appeared to be in the continuity with the big structure," the report said.

The report by Mishra also mentioned that the three-four sculptures with Sindoor marks and 'Choukhat' like stone slab are believed to be 'Sringar Gouri'.

Gyanvapi mosque case

The court had ordered the survey after a group of Hindus filed a petition seeking permission to perform daily worship of deities Shringar Gauri, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman and Nandi whose idols are located on the outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque.

Screengrab

Earlier, after reports claimed that a Shivling was found inside the complex, the Mosque authorities had claimed that it was a fountain.

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