Varanasi: The Varanasi court on Friday, gave a nod to the petition filed by the Hindu side, seeking a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi structure in Varanasi by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
As per the verdict, the ASI would now conduct a scientific survey on the entire Gyanvapi premises, except the area that was sealed after the discovery of the Shivling within the Varanasi Gyanvapi complex.
In May this year, counsel for four Hindu Women plaintiffs Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain had filed an application, seeking a survey of the barricaded area of Gyanvapi mosque complex, excluding its sealed area.
The Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee had objected to the survey, arguing that a survey was already conducted at the order of the court of Civil Judge senior division, Varanasi in May 2022.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s Special counsel for Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi case, Rajesh Mishra said, “Application seeking survey of the Gyanvapi Complex’s barricaded area has been allowed by the district court. The court ordered that the application number both seeking survey by ASI in barricated area of Gyanvapi Mosque excluding its sealed area.”
The district court heard both Hindu and Muslim sides on July 14.
The counsel for Gyanvapi Mosque Management, Raees Ahmad Ansari said that they would challenge the oder in the higher court.
The court ordered for GPR, excavations etc in the premises without causing any harm to the property, added Mishra. The court fixed August 4 as next date of hearing.