Gyanvapi: After Mosque Committee Moves SC, ASI Survey Put on Hold for 2 Days

A Varanasi District Court on 21 July had allowed an ASI team to survey the Gyanvapi mosque premises.

File photo of Gyanvapi Mosque.

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The Supreme Court on Monday, 24 July, put an interim stay for two days on the survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Varanasi's Gyanvapi Mosque.

"We're of the view that some breathing time should be given. Impugned order shall not be enforced till 5 pm on 26 July. In the meantime, should the petitioners moved the HC, the RG of HC should ensure that it is placed before appropriate bench before status quo order ends," the top court said.

Last week, a Varanasi District Court on 21 July, allowed a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to begin the survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises (except the 'Wazukhana,' which is an ablution pond where worshippers wash themselves before praying), on Monday, 24 July. The court directed the ASI to submit the report of the survey before 4 August.

 But, the mosque management committee moved the Supreme Court against the Varanasi court's order allowing the inspection.

Details: The survey is expected to determine “whether the present structure was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple."

"None of the members of the Muslim side will be present during the survey," Syed Mohammad, Joint Secretary of the Masjid Committee, was quoted by NDTV as saying.

Background: The case pertains to a plea filed by five Hindu women seeking permission for the worship of Hindu deities whose idols were allegedly found to be located on an outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque.