Gyanvapi row: Varanasi court verdict on Shivling carbon dating plea likely today

The Varanasi court is likely to pronounce its verdict on the plea filed by the Hindu side demanding carbon dating of the structure they claimed to be a Shivling found inside the Gyanvapi Mosque’s wazukhana or reservoir after the three-day Gyanvapi Masjid court-ordered video survey.

The court had reserved the order in the Gyanvapi Mosque-Shringar Gauri case on September 29 after hearing both sides' arguments. The bench of Varanasi District Judge Ajay Krishna Vishwesh will deliver the order around 2pm.

ALSO READ | Gyanvapi row: Shivling in masjid reservoir, claim Hindus; fountain, says mosque | Exclusive first pictures

On September 22, the Hindu side demanded carbon dating and other scientific tests of the Shivling-like structure. This was opposed not only by the Muslim side’s Anjuman Inazaniya Masajid Committee but also by plaintiff number one Rakhi Singh of the Hindu side. The lawyers had lodged an objection in court saying that carbon dating would damage the structure.

Carbon dating is a scientific process that ascertains the age of an archaeological object or archaeological finds.

Besides this case, two more cases that could not be heard on Thursday due to the holiday will be heard today. First, pertaining to the demand from the court to worship the Shivling found in Gyanvapi, a case filed on behalf of Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda.

The second one is in connection with the case demanding the handing over of the 'Shivling' site found in Gyanvapi to the Hindus. A hearing on both applications is to be held in the court of Senior Civil Judge Kumudlata Tripathi today.