Varanasi court defers hearing on plea seeking 'scientific investigation' on 'Shivling'

"This is only to clarify if there is a Shivling as reported or a water fountain as argued by the Mosque committee," they said.

Advocate Vishnu Jain, appearing for the Hindu side, argued that "by virtue of Order 26 Rule 10A of CPC, the court has power to direct 'scientific investigation' of Shivling reportedly found in the Gyanvapi Mosque premises, (sic)," the report said.

District Judge AK Vishvesha had on September 29 reserved its orders on an application filed by Hindu plaintiffs seeking a "scientific investigation" of the disputed structure found inside the mosque premises, which the plaintiffs claim is a Shivling.

The Gyanvapi Mosque case pertains to a plea filed by five women seeking permission for the worship of Hindu deities whose idols were allegedly found to be located on an outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque.

The court had earlier heard a plea challenging the "maintability" of the plea filed by the Hindu side. The court had ruled in favour of the Hindu side.

Following this, the latter had demanded the carbon-dating of "Shivling" allegedly found in the mosque complex.

Later on September 22, the Varanasi court had issued a notice to the Muslim side over a plea filed by the Hindu side seeking carbon dating of the 'Shivling'.