Gyanvapi Mosque Survey | ‘Report Near Completion’, ASI Seeks Further 15-Day Time To Submit Its Report Before Varanasi District Judge

In the application filed before the Varanasi District Judge, the ASI has stated that it has prepared a detailed survey report covering every aspect of the survey and its report is near completion, and only preparation of the report conducted by the GPR is under process.

In view of this, the ASI has sought a further 15 days to submit the report.

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. The ASI has already surveyed the premises for around 30 days now.

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 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.