BREAKING | ASI Submits Its Sealed Cover Report On The Scientific Survey Of Gyanvapi Mosque Before Varanasi Court

In a significant development which is likely to affect the ongoing Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi Mosque dispute, the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) today submitted before the Varanasi Court, its report on the scientific survey of Gyanvapi mosque premises.ASI submitted the report before the Varanasi district Judge AK Vishvesha. On the other hand, a petition has been moved by the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee (which manages Gyanvapi Mosque) seeking information about the survey report. After the submission of the report, the Hindu worshippers prayed before the Court to make the report public and sought directions for the supplying of copies of the report to all parties involved. 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.

BREAKING | ASI Submits Its Sealed Cover Report On The Scientific Survey Of Gyanvapi Mosque Before Varanasi Court

Sparsh Upadhyay

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