ASI Urges Varanasi Court To Postpone Disclosure Of Its Sealed Cover Gyanvapi Survey Report For 4 Weeks

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has urged the Varanasi District Judge to delay the release of its Gyanvapi Survey Report by four weeks so that the agency gets breathing time to file the report in the 1991 suit pertaining the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi Mosque dispute.The ASI has contended that as per the High Court's December 18 order, the agency has to present the survey report in the 1991 suit (presently pending before the Court of Civil Judge. senlor Division, Fast Track Court, Varanasi) as well and hence, before its submission, disclosing the report's content to the public would be inappropriate, as it may result in the spread of rumours and misrepresentation, potentially impacting the ASI's ongoing work."for the smooth compliance of the order of the High Court without any interruption and in a proper manner, it is necessary that this Court may order neither to open the sealed cover, nor to disclose the said survey report to any person of the Suit or any public before the submission the copy of said survey report in the 0.S. No. 610 of 1991 in the sult of Ancient Idol of Swambhu Lord Vishweshwar Vs Anjuman Intezamia Masjid and Others in the Court of Civil Judge. senlor Division, Fast Track Court, Varanasi," the application of the ASI states.It may be noted that the ASI conducted a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi as per the July 21 order of the Varanasi District Judge to determine if the mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.On August 4, the Supreme Court refused to stop the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from surveying the Gyanvapi Mosque at Varanasi, except the 'wuzukhana' area where a 'shivling' was claimed to have been found last year.Taking on record an undertaking made on behalf of the ASI that no excavation would be done at the site and no damage will be caused to the structure, the Court had allowed the survey to take place.The Court had ordered thus while disposing of a petition filed by Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (which manages the Gyanvapi Mosque at Varanasi) challenging the Allahabad High Court order (of August 3) which permitted the ASI survey.On July 21, Varanasi District Judge directed the Director of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a “scientific survey” of the Gyanvapi mosque premises except for the area that was sealed earlier (wuzukhana) to find out if the same has been built over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple. This order was upheld by the Allahabad HC on August 3.

ASI Urges Varanasi Court To Postpone Disclosure Of Its Sealed Cover Gyanvapi Survey Report For 4 Weeks

Sparsh Upadhyay

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