Masjid Committee Moves SC Against HC’s Gyanvapi ASI Survey Order

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee has moved the Supreme Court of India in response to the Allahabad High Court’s decision on Thursday, granting permission for a scientific survey to be conducted at Gyanvapi Mosque by the ASI.

Advocate Nizam Pasha mentioned the matter before Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud, leading a five-judge constitution Bench handling the Article 370 issue. He sought an urgent hearing, emphasizing the need to halt the survey process as per the recent High Court order.

Mr. Pasha stated, “The Allahabad High Court has passed an order today. We have filed an SLP against the order. I have sent an email (seeking urgent hearing). Let them not proceed with the survey.”

The CJI stated, “I will look at the email right away.” One of the parties from the Hindu side has also filed a caveat in the apex court saying that no orders be passed without hearing them in the matter.

Earlier on the same day, the high court rejected a petition filed by the Gyanvapi committee, which contested a district court’s directive to the ASI to conduct a survey aimed at determining whether the mosque was constructed upon a temple.

The Varanasi district court order was issued on July 21 and was subsequently challenged by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee. Chief Justice Pritinker Diwakar reserved the order on the committee’s petition on July 27 following hearings from both parties’ counsels.