The Archaeological Survey of India submitted the survey report of the Gyanvapi mosque complex to a Varanasi district court on Monday.
On December 11, the Varanasi district court had given the ASI one more week to submit a scientific survey report of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. Notably, this marked the sixth time that the court had granted an extension for the ASI to file its survey report.
The court had previously provided additional time to the ASI on September 6, October 5, November 2, November 17, and November 30.
The ASI initiated the survey within the barricaded area of the Gyanvapi premises, excluding its sealed section, on August 4. This action followed court orders aimed at determining whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.
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During an earlier hearing, the mosque management committee raised objections to the survey, alleging that the ASI was digging the basement and other areas of the mosque complex without permission, accumulating debris on the western wall and posing a risk of structural collapse.
The mosque panel emphasized that the ASI team was not authorized to survey the premises by removing debris or garbage.
Additionally, the Gyanvapi committee had moved the Supreme Court against the high court's order. On August 4, the apex court had refused to stay the high court's order regarding the ASI survey.
