ASI begins scientific survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex

Varanasi: A team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun scientific survey to determine if the Gyanvapi mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple is built upon a temple.

District judge A K Vishvesh on Friday directed the ASI to conduct a detailed scientific survey -- including excavations, wherever necessary -- to determine if the mosque in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is built upon a temple.

"I have been informed that my application has been approved and the court has given directions to conduct an ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, excluding the Wazukhana which has been sealed. I think the survey can be completed within 3 to 6 months," said advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain appearing for the Hindu side.

Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, who also represents Hindu side in the Gyanvapi case, said the court's decision is turning point in the case. "Our application for the ASI survey has been accepted. It is a turning point in the case," he said.

The court pronounced its order on a petition filed by the Hindu side seeking direction for a “scientific survey” of the entire Gyanvapi mosque premises by the Archaeological Survey of India

The mosque's 'wazukhana', where a structure claimed by Hindu litigants to be a 'shivling' exists, will not be part of the survey, following an earlier Supreme Court order protecting that spot in the complex.

The judge directed the ASI to submit a report to the court by August 4, along with videos and photographs of survey proceedings.

Meanwhile, the mosque management committee filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Varanasi district court's order allowing the inspection.