The Archaeological investigation of India (ASI) has been directed by the Varanasi district court hearing the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi mosque cases to submit objects discovered during the scientific investigation of the premises to the district administration.
District Judge A K Vishvesha issued the judgment on Wednesday after hearing a slew of motions from the Hindu side seeking the security of the premises.
“I have considered all the facts of the case and keeping in mind that a scientific survey is being conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India at the site. I find it is suitable that whatever objects and items are being found at the site in question, which maybe connected to this case, or to Hindu religion or worship, or are historical and are important for disposal of this case, should be submitted to the district magistrate or an officer chosen by him, who can keep those items safely and present them before a court when it is called for,” said the judge in his order.
He also directed the ASI to compile a list of all objects discovered at the scene and deliver it to the court and the district magistrate.
The district court granted the ASI an extension of four weeks on September 8 to perform the court-ordered scientific investigation of the Gyanvapi mosque premises and submit a report. The survey at the Uttar Pradesh mosque is still ongoing.
In one of three applications submitted by the Hindu side, Rakhi Singh claimed that the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee visited the Gyanvapi mosque on a daily basis and was involved in destroying evidence discovered during the survey.
“If evidence connected to Hindu religion are destroyed, then it will lead to problems in disposal of the case… I request the court to pass an order securing the entire Gyanvapi site,” she said in her application.