ASI Starts Survey Of Gyanvapi Mosque, Halts Hours Later After Supreme Court Order. IN PICS

A 30-member Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team entered the Gyanvapi complex around 7 am on Monday morning to carry out the survey in accordance with a Varanasi court's order. The survey was to be conducted with the help of modern technologies, including radar mapping. (Source: PTI)

Members of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) arrived at the Gyanvapi Mosque complex amid the tight security. The complex was inspected and measured. The proceedings were recorded by cameras. (Source: PTI)

Heavy security deployment was made outside the Gyanvapi Mosque complex. Besides the ASI team, the lawyers of Hindu petitioners were also present at the site. (Source: PTI)

The Varanasi court had directed the ASI on Friday to submit a report to the court by August 4, along with video clips and photographs of the survey proceedings. (Source: PTI)

Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, a counsel for the Hindu petitioners, told PTI that the survey work lasted for about four hours. The stones and bricks at the complex were inspected. (Source: PTI)

Later in the day, the Supreme Court halted the survey till July 26 following a petition by Gyanvapi mosque management committee. The SC said some 'breathing time' must be granted to the petitioners to move the High Court for pursuing their remedies. (Source: PTI)