Gyanvapi Mosque case: SC put hold on ASI survey of mosque complex till July 26
Gyanvapi Mosque case: Supreme Court says no ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex till 5 pm, July 26th.
Supreme Court order shall not be enforced till 26th July. In the meantime, the mosque committee shall move High Court.
On Supreme Court's order, Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi mosque case, says "The SC has passed a stay on the execution of the order of the Varanasi court on survey of the Mosque complex to allow the Anjum to challenge the same before the High Court."
"We will abide by the court order," said DM Varanasi after Supreme Court orders stay on ASI survey of Gyanvapi Mosque complex till 5pm on 26th July.
Earlier, in the day the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has initiated a "scientific survey" of Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque, despite a petition filed by the mosque management committee in the Supreme Court opposing the inspection.
The survey, which commenced at 7 am, will encompass all areas except the sealed "wuzukhana," where a structure believed to be a 'Shivling' - a relic of Lord Shiva - was reportedly found during an inspection in 2022. The ASI has been directed to submit its report to the district court by August 4.
The Varanasi district court's order mandated the scientific investigation, emphasizing the need for the revelation of "true facts" related to the site. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, expressed optimism that the survey could be completed within 3 to 6 months.
Varanasi Court on Friday gave directions to conduct an ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, excluding the 'Wazukhana' area which has been sealed.
- With inputs from agencies
