The Supreme Court on Friday sought the response of the Gyanvapi Masjid Committee to a plea filed by Hindu worshippers requesting an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the sealed area in the Gyanvapi mosque complex, Varanasi, where a “Shivling” is claimed to have been found.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan issued notices to the Committee of Management Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, which oversees the mosque, and others. The court scheduled the matter for hearing on December 17, along with other related petitions, including an application to consolidate all cases and transfer them from the Varanasi district court to the Allahabad High Court.
Details of the Plea
The petitioners argued that the sealed area, restricted by an interim order dated May 20, 2022, and confirmed on November 11, 2022, contains critical evidence relevant to the case. They requested the court to allow the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the sealed portion using advanced techniques.
“It is submitted that important material evidence relating to the temple exists within the sealed area, and surveying it is essential for a just resolution of the case,” the application stated. The petitioners urged the court to modify the November 11, 2022 order, allowing ASI to access and survey the sealed area and submit a report within a specified timeframe.
Background
The Allahabad High Court had earlier permitted a scientific survey of the “Shivling” found in the mosque premises, reversing a Varanasi District Court order that had denied the request. The Supreme Court, however, temporarily paused the survey, noting that the implications of the High Court’s directive required further scrutiny.
The structure in question, discovered during a court-mandated survey on May 16, 2022, has been described as a “Shivling” by the Hindu side and a “fountain” by the Muslim side. The High Court had emphasized the need for scientific methods, including carbon dating, to establish the nature of the structure.
The petitioners argue that a comprehensive ASI survey, including the sealed area, is crucial to uncover evidence that could significantly impact the ongoing legal battle over the site adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.