A court in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi on Friday allowed for the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The order comes on the petition by Hindu devotees.
Vishnu Shankar Jain, the lawyer representing the Hindu petitioners, confirmed the development to the media.
He told media, "I have been informed that my application has been approved and the court has directed to conduct an ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, excluding the Wazu tank which has been sealed."
The various petitions related to the Gyanvapi complex stem from an initial petition filed by five Hindu devotees in August 2021, which sought rights to pray daily before Hindu idols on the outer walls of Gyanvapi Mosque. In the hearing of the petition, a videography survey was ordered. During the survey, the 'Shivling' was found close to the 'wazookhana' —ablution pond— in the mosque.
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The various petitions related to the Gyanvapi complex stem from an initial petition filed by five Hindu devotees in August 2021, which sought rights to pray daily before Hindu idols on the outer walls of Gyanvapi Mosque. In the hearing of the petition, a videography survey was ordered. During the survey, the 'Shivling' was found close to the 'wazookhana' —ablution pond— in the mosque.
"The court of A K Vishvesh upheld the petition of a group of Hindu devotees seeking a scientific survey to determine if the mosque was built at the site of a Hindu temple," reported PTI, adding that the petition filed by the Hindu group had sought a direction to ASI to survey the entire Gyanvapi mosque complex.
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The Muslim side had opposed the plea, saying an ASI survey could damage the complex, reported PTI.
In the plea on the ASI survey, the arguments were heard on July 14 and the order was reserved for July 21 (Friday).
India Today reported on Friday that the court has approved the request for the survey and the ASI is supposed to submit its report by August 4.
"Varanasi Court allows for the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque premises as asked for by the Hindu parties in the case. Archeological Survey of India to conduct the survey and submit the final report by August 4," said India Today.
In the plea on the ASI survey, the arguments were heard on July 14 and the order was reserved for July 21 (Friday).
India Today reported on Friday that the court has approved the request for the survey and the ASI is supposed to submit its report by August 4.
"Varanasi Court allows for the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque premises as asked for by the Hindu parties in the case. Archeological Survey of India to conduct the survey and submit the final report by August 4," said India Today.
