Gyanvapi Case: Varanasi Court Allows ASI To Survey Entire Premises, Except Wuzukhana

The Varanasi District Court on Friday granted permission for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a scientific survey of the entire premises of the Gyanvapi mosque, excluding the Wuzukhana, with the purpose of determining whether the mosque was constructed on the site of a pre-existing Hindu temple.

The court has set a deadline for the ASI to submit its report by August 4. During the survey, which is to be carried out between 8 am and 12 pm, there will be no restrictions on namaz (Islamic prayers), and it is emphasized that no damage should be caused to the mosque.

Vishnu Shankar Jain, the lawyer representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi mosque case, expressed his approval upon hearing that the court had granted their application for the ASI survey. He also mentioned that the Wazu tank, which had been sealed, would be excluded from the survey.

Advocate Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, another representative of the Hindu side in the case, called this development a turning point in the proceedings.

Last year, a videographic survey was conducted in the Gyanvapi complex, situated near the Kashi Vishwanath temple. During this survey, the Hindu side claimed to have found a 'Shivling' inside the mosque premises, while the Muslim side argued that it was merely a fountain.

The application for the scientific survey of the entire Gyanvapi mosque premises was filed by four Hindu women worshippers.

The order was pronounced by District Judge AK Vishwesha on Friday, following hearings from both parties on July 14.