In the latest development update at the Allahabad High Court, the Muslim side involved in the Gyanvapi dispute did not receive immediate relief. This came after the Varanasi court granted permission to the Hindu side for prayers in a cellar of the mosque. The court has scheduled the next hearing for February 6.

Justice Rohit Ranjan Agrawal delivered the order while addressing an appeal filed by the committee responsible for managing the mosque. The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee swiftly approached the high court after the Supreme Court declined to hear their plea against the Varanasi district court's decision, directing them to approach the high court instead.

Previously, the Varanasi court had ruled that a priest could conduct prayers before the idols in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque.

During the hearing, advocate SFA Naqvi, representing the committee, argued that the order was hastily issued, especially considering it was the retiring day of the concerned judge. Naqvi further contended that the district judges had not properly considered their documents while passing the order.

On the other hand, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, highlighted that the district court had already appointed the District Magistrate of Varanasi as the receiver of the property in an earlier order dated January 17. He argued that the subsequent order on January 31 was merely a consequential one and not challenged. Therefore, he claimed the appeal was not maintainable.

In response, Naqvi stated his intention to file an amendment application challenging the January 17 order as well.

Additionally, it was noted in the order that the Advocate General assured that the district administration of Varanasi would maintain law and order in accordance with the January 31 order.

Jain also emphasized that allowing prayers did not harm the other side, as similar prayers were conducted in the past before being halted in December 1993.

The appeal filed before the court lists the Board of Trustees of Sri Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Shailendra Kumar Pathak, Head priest of the Acharya Ved Vyas Peeth Temple Complex, as respondents.

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