The Allahabad High Court refused to grant interim stay on the Varanasi district court's order allowing puja inside the Gyanvapi mosque cellar. The HC directed the state government to maintain law and order. The mosque committee had not challenged the January 17 order appointing the district magistrate as receiver. Muslim shopkeepers observed a bandh in protest, while the AIMPLB alleged bias by the judiciary. The AIMPLB will challenge the order in the Supreme Court and seek a meeting with the president.