SC orders status quo on ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque till tomorrow

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered status quo till Wednesday on a scientific survey of the premises of the Gyanvapi mosque, being carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India as per the directions of a Varanasi court.

A bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud permitted the Muslim party to approach the Allahabad High Court to challenge the Varanasi court's order given last week. It directed the HC registrar (judicial) to ensure that the petition, once filed, is placed before the roster in order to be taken up by HC before the status quo order ends.

Representing the mosque side, senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi said ASI had already started digging at the western wall of the mosque. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta contended walls were not broken and that only measurement and photography were being carried out. He assured no structural changes would be made to the premises.