ASI resumes Gyanvapi mosque complex 'scientific survey' amid tight security

A team of the Archaeological Survey of India on Friday resumed the 'scientific survey' to determine of Gyanvapi mosque was built over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple, over a week after a survey was stalled.

The ASI team reached the Gyanvapi mosque premises adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi and according to reports there are 41 officials present inside the complex.

"All people (including ASI officials) have reached there. The survey has started. We are also going inside," Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, Advocate representing the Hindu side on the Gyanvapi case told ANI.


Security has been beefed up around the complex and the survey is sexpected to go on till 12 pm, according to meda reports.

Yesterday, the Allahabad High Court gave its nod for a scientific investigation and survey of the Gyanvapi mosque. It observed that the survey was “necessary in the interest of justice” and shall benefit both parties involved in the matter. Soon after the HC's verdict, the mosque committee moved the Supreme Court challenging the order.

The court of Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker was hearing the plea filed by Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, which manages the mosque, against the Varanasi District Court’s order that had allowed the survey of the complex, excluding the wazukhana area. The area is sealed on the order of the top court.

Both the deputy CMs of UP –– Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya –– tweeted welcoming the order and said the survey will “bring out the truth”. Earlier in the week, UP CM Yogi Adityanath had made a statement urging the Muslim community to acknowledge “historical mistakes” and initiate a conversation around a solution to the Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath dispute.

On July 28, appearing for the state of Uttar Pradesh, Advocate General Ajai Mishra said the state government is there to maintain law and order and that it has no concern with the survey.

On July 21, a Varanasi court had directed the ASI to conduct the survey of the mosque. The survey that began on July 24, was stalled by the Supreme Court which ordered "some breathing time" to appeal a district court order.