Gyanvapi mosque row: Allahabad HC allows ASI to conduct survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi
Prayagraj, August 3: The Allahabad High Court on Thursday allowed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi.
"The Allahabad High Court has said the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex will start. The Sessions Court order is upheld by the High Court," said Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is representing the Hindu side in Gyanvapi survey case.
The Allahabad High Court dismissed Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee's plea, challenging the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the mosque complex, adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.
The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee had challenged the Varanasi District Judge's July 21 order.
On July 21, Varanasi District Judge AK Vishvesha ordered the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi complex on an application moved by four Hindu women on May 16, 2023. The order of the district judge, however, excluded the Wuzu Khana (ablution pond area) of the complex, which has been sealed on the order of the top court.
Earlier, the Allahabad High Court asked the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to not start the survey of Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi as the hearing on the matter is underway after the Supreme Court put on hold till 5 pm July 26 a detailed scientific survey by the ASI to determine if the mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi was built upon a temple.
The court was hearing a plea against a district court order directing the ASI to conduct the controversial survey.
The Supreme Court earlier corrected its order in relation to the Gyanvapi mosque case whereby on July 24 it inadvertently disposed of an appeal of the committee questioning the maintainability of a suit by Hindus in the trial court seeking worship rights inside the mosque.
While granting the relief on the interim plea by staying ASI survey, the top court disposed of the main case on July 24.
The mosque committee had moved the top court with its interim plea in the pending petition seeking a stay of ASI work.