One of the 3 plaintiffs in 1991 Gyanvapi case passes away

VARANASI: Harihar Pandey, 77, who was one of three plaintiffs in the 1991 civil suit (no. 610/2991) asking for the removal of the Gyanvapi mosque from the "Adi Vishweshwar temple" land, died on Sunday after prolonged illness.

Pandey's son, Karnshankar Pandey, said his father's condition deteriorated some 15 days ago due to infections. "He was hospitalized and he died during the course of treatment," Karnshankar said.

Two other plaintiffs in the case, Somnath Vyas and Professor Ramrang Sharma, have already passed on.

This case is being pursued by Vijay Shankar Rastogi, an advocate, as the "next friend" of Swayambhu Jyotirlinga Bhagwan Vishweshwar and is pending before the Allahabad high court.

On October 15, 1991, a petition was filed before the Varanasi civil judge on behalf of Swayambhu Jyotirlinga Bhagwan Vishweshwar (Lord Shiva) and three others, including Harihar Pandey.