‘Not the right time’: SC on plea seeking nod for Gyanvapi rituals

The Supreme Court declined to entertain a plea seeking permission for Hindu devotees to perform rituals at the sealed area inside the Gyanvapi mosque complex during Shravan, saying 'this is not the right time'.

A bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asked petitioners to wait, adjourning the plea by two weeks.

The plea, filed by Laxmi Devi and three other Hindu plaintiffs, sought permission for pooja, darshan, and jalabhishek at the disputed site where a Shivling is claimed to exist.

The Hindu side argues a Shivling exists at the wazukhana; the mosque committee maintains it is a fountain structure.

Hindu devotees already perform prayers at the southern basement chamber of the complex under a 2024 court order.