On Friday, a Varanasi court extended the deadline by 4 more weeks for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to finish the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex and submit its report. Government counsel Rajesh Mishra revealed that District Judge AK Vishvesh overruled the objections raised by the mosque management committee and accorded additional time to the ASI.
The ASI has been commissioned to undertake a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque grounds, which are adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The purpose of the investigation is to ascertain whether the 17th-century mosque was built over a Hindu temple that previously stood at the site.
The Allahabad High Court had earlier, on August 3, rejected a plea from the Muslim party, Anjuman Intejamia Masjid Committee, which contested the Varanasi court’s decision. This high court had authorised the ASI to proceed with the scientific restoration of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, barring the ‘Vazukhana’ area. Despite appealing to the Supreme Court against the high court’s ruling, the apex court maintained the stance of the Allahabad High Court. In July, a Varanasi court had instructed the ASI to commence a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex situated next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.