Varanasi Court junks plea to stop ASI survey at Gyanvapi

The Court of Varanasi district judge Ajay Krishna Vishvesha recently rejected the plea of the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid’s (AIM) to stop the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) scientific examination and survey of the Gyanvapi complex, which is adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The court’s ruling was based on the fact that the survey was being carried out in compliance with orders from the Allahabad High Court and the Supreme Court, making it impossible to issue an injunction. Consequently, the court rejected the application.
Anjuman Intezamia Masajid (AIM), responsible for the administration of the Gyanvapi Mosque, had submitted the application on August 9, 2023, seeking to halt the ASI survey on the grounds that it had commenced without adhering to established regulations.
The ASI survey, initiated on July 24, had briefly ceased following AIM’s plea but was subsequently dismissed by the Allahabad High Court. The ASI is expected to present its survey findings by October 6.
Regarding the Gyanvapi case, a request by AIM to reveal the party seeking the transfer of the mosque’s title dispute case has been denied by the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court. AIM had also requested to stop the proceedings until the applicant’s identity was disclosed.
The Chief Justice stressed that the identity of the applicant was not a pivotal issue and that the primary focus should be on preserving the integrity of the court proceedings.
The cases related to the Gyanvapi title dispute are scheduled for a hearing on October 4.