1998: High Court Held up Varanasi Court for 22 Years

The district Judge merges all the petitions and orders the civil court to adjudicate the dispute afresh after considering all the evidence. However, the High Court stays the Varanasi district court order, which continues for 22 years. The site continues to remain volatile, with mosque access prohibited for non-Muslims and the walls fenced with barbed wire. During the 2004 general election, hundreds of policemen are deployed to maintain peace.