Gyanvapi | Varanasi Court Grants Further 4 Weeks' Time To ASI To Submit Its Mosque Survey Report

The order was passed in an application moved by the ASI which stated that it would take some more time for the ASI to submit the report as a lot of trash/debris consisting of garbage, loose soil and building materials are dumped on the floor level in cellars as well as around the structure, covering the original features of the structure, and hence, it was taking time for the ASI to clear the same.

In the application, it has further been stated that as the court has directed the ASI to conduct a survey beneath the ground of all the cellars, it is necessary that soil/debris dumped or accumulated there, is removed without causing any damage to the standing structure.

“The survey work is also getting affected/slowed down by intermittent rains and use of scientific instruments become difficult…the debris is being removed very carefully and systematically, which is a slow process and going to take some more time before the ground of the cellars and structural features of the existing structures are cleared for a survey as directed by the court,” the application further submitted.

Having perused the application as well as finding justification in the reasons given by the ASI seeking more time to complete the survey, the Court, while allowing the prayer, remarked thus:

“I agree with the learned counsel for the Archaeological Survey of India (A.S.I.) that because of rains, the survey work was badly affected. I also agree with the learned counsel for the Archaeological Survey of India (A.S.I.) that removal of debris and trash from the cellars takes considerable time because it is a slow process and Archaeological Survey of India (A.S.I.) ensures that no damage may be caused to the existing structure. Therefore, I am of the view that application 385C is liable to be allowed.”

It may be noted that the ASI is presently conducting 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 carrying out a survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque at Varanasi, except the 'wuzukhana' area where a 'Shiva Linga' 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 would be caused to the structure, the Court allowed the survey to take place.

The Court ordered thus while disposing of a petition filed by Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (which manages the Gyanvapi Mosque at Varanasi) challenging 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.