Gyanvapi case row: Varanasi court grants 8 more weeks to ASI to complete scientific survey

Gyanvapi case row: In a recent development, the Varanasi court has extended the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) timeline by eight additional weeks to complete its scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi. Originally, the ASI was granted four weeks to carry out the survey and submit its findings, with a deadline set for September 2.

Hindu litigants' legal representatives argued that the ASI should refrain from submitting the final report since the survey remains incomplete. The ASI initiated the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex, situated adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple but excluding the 'wuzukhana,' on August 4. This action followed the Allahabad High Court's order permitting the ASI to conduct the survey with the objective of determining whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed atop a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.

On August 3, the High Court had dismissed the plea filed by the Muslim side, represented by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which challenged the Varanasi court's decision to allow the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises.

Notably, the Supreme Court had previously declined to halt the ASI's "scientific investigation" of the Gyanvapi premises in Varanasi. This ongoing survey and the legal proceedings surrounding it continue to be a matter of significant interest and contention.

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