The
proceedings in the Gyanvapi case were moved to a new bench of the Allahabad
High Court after the hearing concluded on Friday last week.
Although the case had been reserved for a verdict
set to be announced on Monday, it was scheduled before a different bench, with
no provided explanation.
Following the transfer of the case, the Muslim
parties raised objections saying it is against legal procedures.
The legal counsel, representing the Muslim parties,
said that there is no directive to transfer the case from a single judge to a
new bench.
He added that changing the bench at the eleventh
hour contradicts the authority of the Chief Justice of India (CJI). In
response, the CJI said that the matter may be released automatically after a
lapse of some time.
The scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex
began on August 4, following the court's order that allowed the Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI) to survey to determine if the mosque was constructed over
a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.
On August 3, the Allahabad High Court dismissed a
petition by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee against a lower court order,
directing the ASI to survey the mosque.
The
high court order was upheld by the Supreme Court the next day.