A Varanasi sessions court on Tuesday rejected a petition that sought the filing of an FIR against Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi for their comments on the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi Mosque dispute.

Sessions Judge Vinod Kumar dismissed the revision petition filed by advocate Harishankar Pandey, which sought an FIR against Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

Earlier, in February 2023, a magistrate court had rejected Pandey's plea, stating that no cognizable offence was established against the two leaders as claimed. Following this, Pandey appealed to the sessions court.

Pandey alleged that both leaders were attempting to disrupt the atmosphere in Varanasi by making controversial remarks about the object discovered inside the Gyanvapi Mosque, claimed to be a Shiva Linga, thereby hurting religious sentiments.

He argued that despite the Supreme Court not issuing any comment on the matter, these leaders were stirring public emotions for electoral gain. His plea further asserted that their 'objectionable remarks' on the Shiva Linga 'hurt the sentiments' of Hindus.