Archaeological Survey Of India's Report On Gyanvapi Mosque Survey To Be Made Public, Orders Varanasi Court

In a significant development, the Varanasi Court today ordered that the report of the Gyanvapi Mosque's scientific survey [conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)] be made public, with all relevant parties getting access to the same. The order was made by the district Judge AK Vishvesha while disposing of a bunch of applications filed by concerned parties seeking a copy of the survey report. 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, 2023 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, 2023 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, 2023.

Archaeological Survey Of India's Report On Gyanvapi Mosque Survey To Be Made Public, Orders Varanasi Court

Sparsh Upadhyay

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