Gyanvapi: All suits to be consolidated, tried together

Varanasi, May 23 The district court in Varanasi has passed and order that all the eights suits, including that of Rakhi Singh and other versus State of Uttar Pradesh, which sought permission for daily worship at Maa Shringar Gauri sthal and other deities inside the Gyanvapi complex, will be consolidated and tried together as one suit.
An order in this regard was issued by District Judge of Varanasi Dr Ajay Krishna Vishvesha on an application moved by Bhagwan Aadi Vishweshwar Viraajman and others versus State of UP through Chief Secretary and others seeking consolidation of all the suits on the ground that the subject matter of all the suits was common.
In its order the court observed, “In all these cases, the subject matter and the points raised for determination are almost similar. The reliefs sought by the applicants in all these cases are also similar in nature.”
It said, “It was also observed by this court in order on April 17 that if all these cases shall remain pending in different courts then there is possibility that contradictory orders may be passed in all these cases whereas if all these cases shall remain in one court then there will be no possibility of passing contradictory judgements and orders in all these cases.”
The court said, “It is pertinent to reproduce the provisions of Order-4A of Civil Procedure Code (CPC) in which it has been provided that when two or more suits are pending in the same court and the court is of the opinion that it is expedient in the interest of justice, then it may by order direct their joint trial where upon all such suits and proceedings may be decided upon the evidence in all or any such suits or proceedings.”
It said, “I am of the opinion that it will be expedient in the interest of justice that all the suits should be tried together and may be consolidated, and all these suits and proceedings shall be decided upon the evidence in any of such suits or proceedings and Rakhi Singh and others versus State of UP and others shall be the leading case and evidence shall be recorded in the leading case.”
It ordered, “Application is decided accordingly.”