The Allahabad High Court on Monday rejected the plea filed by Muslim parties challenging a Varanasi court order allowing Hindu devotees to offer puja in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi Mosque.

The court had reserved order in the matter on February 15.

Earlier on January 31, the Varanasi district court had allowed Hindus to perform puja in the southern cellar of the disputed structure.  Later in the night, the puja began in the cellar.

The Muslim side had moved an urgent application before the Supreme Court seeking its intervention against the district court’s order, but was told to first approach the Allahabad High Court.