Eleven individuals, representing both the Hindu and Muslim factions, submitted applications for copies of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple on Thursday, as disclosed by the counsel for the Hindu litigants.
The applicants are likely to receive the report either on Thursday or by Monday following the scrutiny of the applications, stated Hindu side counsel Madan Mohan Yadav.
In accordance with a district court order issued on July 21 of the preceding year, the ASI conducted a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi premises to ascertain whether the mosque was constructed atop a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple. “Till afternoon, 11 persons have applied from both sides for copies of ASI survey report,” remarked Yadav.
Yadav further noted that advocates representing the five petitioners from the Hindu side, including the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee, Kashi Vishwanath Trust, the state government, the chief secretary, the home secretary, and the Varanasi district magistrate, have sought copies of the survey report.
On the prior day, District Judge A K Vishvesh decreed that the ASI survey report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex will be furnished to both the Hindu and Muslim sides. Following the hearing, Judge Vishvesh stipulated that both parties in the lawsuit must be provided with copies of the survey report filed by the ASI in court, enabling them to file objections if necessary. The Kashi Vishwanath temple trust, Varanasi DM, and the state’s home secretary were also granted permission by the court to obtain a copy of the ASI survey report.
This ruling was made in response to a petition filed by Rakhi Singh and others. The court-ordered survey was initiated after Hindu petitioners asserted that the 17th-century mosque was built upon a pre-existing temple. The ASI had submitted its survey report to the district court in a sealed cover on December 18, 2023.
