The Hindu side counsel stated that a Varanasi court has scheduled the hearing for February 15 regarding the plea by the Anjuman Intezamia committee to stop worship in the cellar of Gyanvapi mosque.

District Judge Anil Kumar informed the court, as conveyed by Advocate M M Yadav, that since the Allahabad High Court was set to address the matter on February 12, there was no necessity for the district court to proceed with the hearing at present. Consequently, the matter was rescheduled for February 15.

On January 31, the Varanasi district court granted permission for puja (prayers) to be conducted in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. Subsequently, the southern cellar was opened later that night, and a priest performed the prayers.

The cellar, referred to by Hindu plaintiffs as 'Vyasji ka tehkhana' (Vyasji’s cellar), is situated within the premises of the mosque complex.

The Varanasi court's decision followed a report from the Archaeological Survey of India, which indicated that "there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction" of the Gyanvapi mosque.

The report stated: “Based on scientific studies/survey carried out, study of architectural remains, exposed features and artefacts, inscriptions, art and sculptures, it can be said that there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure.”