ASI Seeks 3-Week Time From Varanasi Court To Submit Gyanvapi Mosque Survey Report

The Archaeological Survey of India has sought three weeks' time to submit the scientific survey report of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday sought three more weeks time to submit the scientific survey report of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, which was concluded almost a month ago. The ASI had earlier asked for an extension of 15 days on Nov 18 and the court had allowed it 10 days, reported IANS.

The survey began on August 4 and left out the Wuzukhana area of the mosque, which was sealed by the orders of the Supreme Court.

According to HT, standing government counsel Amit Srivastava, who represents ASI, submitted the application to the court requesting more time to compile and finalize the comprehensive report. The court is scheduled to hear the plea at around 2 pm today.

On July 21 this year, a Varanasi court had ordered the survey over the petition by four women who sought permission to pray at the Shringar Gauri Shrine which is behind the western wall of the temple. ASI conducted the survey for over four-and-a-half hours on July 24 after which the Supreme Court paused the exercise on the same day till 5 pm. The apex court allowed the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee (AIMC) to approach the Allahabad High Court.

The mosque committee moved the high court on July 25 which extended the stay on the survey. The high court gave its ruling on August 3 and allowed the survey to go as planned. The AIMC then challenged the order in the Supreme Court, but the apex court refused to stay the survey on August 4.

Earlier, the ASI sought an extension of eight weeks from the Varanasi court as the previous four-week deadline for completion of the survey concluded on September 2. 

Sudhir Tripathi, an advocate representing the Hindu side, voiced concerns about the survey's status, stating, "ASI may give a primary report but they should not submit the final report yet as the survey is incomplete. After lunch, the court will hear the matter. There is a possibility that ASI may ask for more time from the court," Tripathi told ANI. Shubhash Nandan Chaturvedi, another lawyer representing Hindu litigants, concurred that the survey's completion is uncertain and ASI might request an extension of the deadline.