Gyanvapi Mosque survey: ASI investigation continues; here’s what has happened so far

livemint.com:

Allahabad High Court made a significant ruling affirming the continuation of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque premises. In a blow to the petition filed by the Muslim litigants, the court dismissed their request for a stay on the order issued by the Varanasi court. The court emphasised that the scientific survey by ASI was essential in the pursuit of justice.

It, however, was made clear that the survey would not involve any form of excavation within the premises. In 2022, a lower court in Varanasi was petitioned by a group of women who sought permission from a Hindu deity to access a mosque's complex, claiming historical presence of a temple on the site. Responding to this appeal, the court ordered a video survey of the complex.

The survey resulted in the identification of a structure that the petitioners insisted was a 'shivling'. However, the mosque's management committee vehemently opposed this claim, asserting that the structure was, in reality, a component of a fountain located in the 'wazukhana' - an area designated for ritual ablutions before prayers. Considering the delicate nature of the situation, the Supreme Court stepped in and issued a directive to seal off the portion of the complex containing the contested structure.

This intervention aims to maintain the status quo and prevent any potential escalation of tensions. On July 21, 2022, the Varanasi district court issued a directive for an ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque, setting a submission deadline for the report by August 4. Amit Srivastava, the standing government counsel (Government of India), submitted an application requesting an extension for the ASI's investigation.