Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath Temple: ASI survey report to be made public

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report was requested to be made public today and sent in hard copy to both sides by the Varanasi district court on Wednesday.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, said, “Today, the court heard both sides and a consensus was reached that the hard copy of the ASI’s report will be provided to both sides…The ASI objected to providing the report via email. So, both sides agreed to get the hard copy of the report.”

“The court listened to both sides today. After hearing both sides, an agreement was reached that a certified copy of ASI’s report be made available to both sides. As soon as the court passes the order, our legal team will apply for the certified copy…”

On January 16, the Supreme Court granted an application filed by Hindu women petitioners who wanted instructions to maintain hygienic conditions and clean the entire “wazukhana” of the Gyanvapi mosque, the location of the purported “Shivling.” The district administration of Varanasi will oversee the cleaning of the “wazukhana” area, according to a bench consisting of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. This is in accordance with earlier orders from the highest court.