According to reports, the Varanasi district court has allowed an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey to be conducted in the barricaded area of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, while excluding its sealed area. The court's decision came after it reserved its order on July 14, following extensive arguments presented by both Hindu and Muslim parties.

In a significant development, the Varanasi district court has recently granted permission for an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey to be conducted in the barricaded area of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, with an exclusion of its sealed section. The application seeking the survey was filed by Shankar Jain, the counsel representing four Hindu women plaintiffs, back in May of this year.

The survey has been a point of contention, as the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee objected to it, arguing that a previous survey had already been conducted in May 2022 as directed by the court of Civil Judge senior division in Varanasi.

Providing insights into the court's ruling, Rajesh Mishra, the Uttar Pradesh government's Special counsel for the Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi case, stated, "The district court has allowed the application seeking a survey of the Gyanvapi Complex's barricaded area, excluding its sealed portion, by the ASI."

In response to the court's decision, Raees Ahmad Ansari, the counsel representing the Gyanvapi Mosque Management, expressed their intention to challenge the order in a higher court, setting the stage for potential further legal proceedings.

In the meantime, the court has directed for Ground Penetration Radar (GPR) scans, excavations, and other relevant activities to be conducted on the premises, emphasizing that these actions must be carried out without causing any harm to the property.

As the situation unfolds, the next date of hearing has been fixed for August 4, during which further developments in this contentious matter are anticipated.

Image source: HT