Gyanvapi, Krishna Janmbhoomi cases to be heard today

In Mathura, a plea seeks to represent the Hindu community, while in Varanasi, a suit seeking permission to pray on the Gyanvapi mosque premises sent to a fast-track court

A Mathura court on Wednesday heard another application filed in connection with the Shri Krishna Janmbhoomi-Shahi Idgah Mosque dispute. The application sought permission that the suit filed by the plaintiffs be heard in a representative capacity.

The application was filed by advocate Shailendra Singh, the latest plaintiff to file a suit over the issue. Mr. Singh said he had filed it under Section 92 read with Section 91 and 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure so that the suit can be considered as representative of the prayers of the larger Hindu community.

While hearing the matter, additional district judge Sanjay Chaudhary asked Mr. Singh how his application would override the principle of res judicata (which allows for similar suits to be consolidated), given that the Allahabad High Court had already directed a lower court to decide on consolidating all suits within four months.

Mr. Singh then sought more time to address these queries, following which the judge posted the matter for hearing on May 31.

Meanwhile, the civil judge (senior division) in Mathura is all set to begin hearing the first suit filed in the matter by advocate Ranjana Agnihotri. This suit was earlier dismissed by a civil court. After this, the plaintiffs approached the district court, which remanded the matter back to the trial court.

Tanveer Ahmed, secretary of the Shahi Idgah Masjid management committee and the lawyer for the mosque, said the first hearing in Mr. Agnihotri's suit would be held on Thursday. He added that another suit, filed by advocate Mahendra Pratap, was already at the stage of arguments and the next date of hearing in this was set for July 1.

Mr. Ahmed said the mosque had so far received notice in a total of six suits — nearly identical to each other.