The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) submitted the Gyanvapi mosque survey report to the Varanasi district court on Monday in a sealed cover. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi survey case, objected to the report’s submission in a sealed cover, insisting it should have been made public as per the court’s directive.
Jain expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “Filing the report in a sealed cover violates the Supreme Court order. We’ve lodged our petition urging the court to release the ASI report to the public. We will raise this matter during the December 21 hearing.”
He further mentioned, “Additionally, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee has urged the court not to disclose the report’s findings to the public.”
Meanwhile, ASI’s additional standing counsel, Rahul Mishra, confirmed that the court had heard all perspectives and is scheduled to deliver a comprehensive order on December 21.
Regarding the scientific survey conducted by ASI at the Gyanvapi premises near the Kashi Vishwanath temple, it aimed to ascertain whether the 17th-century mosque was built atop a pre-existing Hindu temple structure. This survey was carried out under the Varanasi court’s directive.
Earlier on september 29 the Varanasi court on Friday rejected the Gyanvapi mosque management committee’s plea to stop the scientific survey of the complex by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
District government advocate Rajesh Mishra stated that on the plea filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid’s committee, District Judge AK Vishvesh stated the survey has already got the nod from the Allahabad High Court and the Supreme Court.
Hence, it wasn’t possible to pass any order in this matter from this court, the judge said.
The ASI is carrying out a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, next to Kashi Vishwanath temple, to determine whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a Hindu temple.
Mishra stated the mosque management committee claimed before the district court that the ASI survey was being conducted against the prescribed rules and should be stopped.
The mosque committee argued that no notice was served to the litigants and no fees were charged.
The district judge stated that no new conditions can be imposed on the plaintiffs.
The judge stated, “The Archaeological Survey of India is not a private organisation. It is doing government work. It is not right to force someone to pay the expenses of the survey.”
Mishra stated that the court also heard the petition of the Hindu side to survey the sealed ‘wazukhana’ in the Gyanvapi complex.
The court has fixed October 5 for a hearing on this matter.
The survey began after the Allahabad High Court upheld a Varanasi district court order and ruled that the survey is “necessary in the interest of justice” and will benefit both the Hindu and Muslim sides.
The Supreme Court refused to stay the Allahabad High Court order.
