Gyanvapi mosque row: SC allows ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque but with a condition | Read in detail
Gyanvapi mosque row: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct the survey of the Gyanvapi mosque using a "non-invasive method."
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been granted a period of four weeks to submit its report to the court in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The court had ordered the survey on July 21.
Notably, the mosque committee had contested the district court's survey order in the Allahabad High Court. However, on Thursday, the High Court rejected the committee's plea to halt the district court's order, which had instructed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey to ascertain whether the mosque was constructed on the site of a pre-existing temple.
Subsequently, the mosque committee approached the Supreme Court, and today (Friday), the matter was heard by the Supreme Court.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said the ASI had clarified that the entire survey would be completed without any excavation and without causing any damage to the structure.
The entire process of scientific survey should be concluded with non-invasive methodology, the Bench ordered. “We reiterate the direction of High Court that there shall be no excavation,” said the Supreme Court.
The Bench noted that the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court took note of the affidavit of ASI that it is not carrying out any excavation during its survey and no part of wall etc. will be touched.
- ANI
