‘Receiving death threats from international numbers,’ claims Gyanvapi judge who ordered videography of Varanasi mosque

Additional Session Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar, known for ordering a videography survey of Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque complex in 2022, has told the Uttar Pradesh police that he has been receiving "malicious calls and death threats from international numbers."

The judge has filed a complaint, urging authorities to investigate the threats.

According to a Times of India report, in a letter addressed to Bareilly Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sushil Chandrabhan Ghule, Diwaker said it is "deeply concerning”.

Also read: ‘Old Hindu temple’s remaining parts…': What ASI survey says about Varanasi’s Gyanvapi mosque cellars

Following similar threat concerns by Ravi Kumar Diwakar after the Gyanvapi judgment, the Allahabad High Court sanctioned Y-category security for the judge and his family. However, this security detail was later downgraded to X-category.

Considering the present security arrangement for the additional sessions judge, two security personnel have been deployed to oversee the safety of his family. However, one of the associates told TOI that this security arrangement is inadequate, citing a lack of weapons in possession of the security personnel, while terrorists are armed with automatic guns and modern weaponry.

Also read: ‘Hindu temple existed before…’: Gyanvapi Mosque case takes fresh turn as ASI releases survey report

Last year, a Popular Front of India (PFI) agent was arrested from the vicinity of Ravi Kumar Diwakar's residence in Lucknow. Following the incident, a gunner was stationed by Shahjahanpur SSP Ashok Kumar Meena at the residence of Justice Diwakar's brother, Dinesh Kumar Diwakar, who is also an additional district judge. However, the security cover was later pulled out in the wake of Lok Sabha elections.

Also read: Gyanvapi mosque case: Muslim side alleges nexus between state and Hindu side, says ‘there is something between the two’

Diwakar, recently transferred to Bareilly, had summoned senior cleric Tauqeer Raza to face trial for allegedly being the mastermind behind the Bareilly riots case of 2018. He had initiated suo motu cognizance in the case.