ASI begins survey of Gyanvapi mosque complex amid strict security

On Friday morning, a team from the Archaeological assessment of India (ASI) arrived at the premises of the Gyanvapi mosque, which is close to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and began a scientific assessment of the complex under strict security.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee had filed a petition objecting to the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) survey of the mosque complex next to Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath temple, but the Allahabad High Court on Thursday allowed the ASI to proceed with its survey.
“Everyone (including ASI officials) arrived at that location.

The Varanasi District Judge’s order from July 21 had been contested by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee.
In response to a request made by four Hindu ladies on May 16, 2023, Varanasi district judge AK Vishvesha ordered the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi complex on July 21.
However, the Wuzu Khana (ablution pond area) of the complex was not included in the district judge’s ruling because it had been sealed after the high court’s directive.

The Supreme Court had earlier ordered the ASI to delay its thorough scientific investigation of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi until 5 p.m. on July 26 in order to determine whether the mosque next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi was built upon a temple. At that time, the hearing on the matter was in progress.