ASI Resumes Scientific Survey Of Gyanvapi Complex In Varanasi Amid Tight Security

Security has been beefed up at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi as ASI resumed the scientific survey today.

Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi.

Source : PTI

Gyanvapi Mosque Survey: A team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Friday resumed the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, a day after Allahabad High Court dismissed the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee's plea challenging the Varanasi District Court's July 21 order. The HC termed the survey 'justified' and 'necessary in the interest of justice'. Notably, a Varanasi court had allowed the ASI to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex (except the wuzukhana) in Varanasi.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up around the Gyanvapi premises. Talking to ANI, Sudhir Tripathi, advocate representing the Hindu side said, "ASI can only tell as to how many days it will take to complete the survey. It took 7-8 months to complete the survey of the Ram temple in Ayodhya..."

#WATCH | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Security strengthened around the Gyanvapi premises as ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) will conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex today

Allahabad High Court yesterday allowed ASI to conduct the survey pic.twitter.com/lzNBfLDybD

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) August 4, 2023

Another lawyer from the Hindu side, Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, said, "All people (including ASI officials) have reached there. The survey has started. We are also going inside."

"Allahabad High Court allowed the ASI to conduct the survey yesterday. ASI and the district administration have made all preparations. We are also going there. This survey is a step towards creating history...," Chaturvedi added.

#WATCH | Varanasi, UP: On ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, Advocate representing the Hindu side on the Gyanvapi case says, "All people (including ASI officials) have reached there. The survey has started. We are also going inside." pic.twitter.com/vZgDXfldMW

— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2023

On the other hand, the Supreme Court will on Friday hear a plea of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee challenging the Allahabad High Court order allowing the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the mosque premises. The Muslim party had moved the top court on Thursday against the high court's order.

Top Points

• The survey is being done through Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology. In this, information can be obtained about metal and other structures up to 10 meters deep into the ground without digging. 
• Security has been increased by installing barricades from all sides within 300 meters radius of Gyanvapi. Two IPS officers, 4 additional SPs, 6 deputy SPs, 10 inspectors and about 200 police forces have been deployed around the premises. 
• The Muslim side has reached the Supreme Court against the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi campus of Varanasi. The court will hear the petition today. At the same time, Rakhi Singh, the petitioner of the Hindu side, has also reached the top court demanding no order on the survey without listening to the Hindu side. 
• Meanwhile, a hearing will be held in the Varanasi court today on the petition to protect the symbols of Hindus in the Gyanvapi campus.  
• Amid the ongoing developments, Buddhism Guru Sumit Ratan Bhante said that the trishul and swastika symbols found in Gyanvapi are of Buddhism.  
• On July 21, the Varanasi District Judge had ordered the survey after which an ASI team reached Gyanvapi for the survey on July 24.  However, on the same day, the Supreme Court put a stay on the survey and gave time to the Muslim side to approach HC.  
• On July 25, the Muslim side filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court. The case was heard on 26 July and the High Court reserved the verdict on 27 July. 
• Subscribe And Follow ABP Live On Telegram: https://t.me/officialabplive