Allahabad HC Stays ASI Survey at Gyanvapi Mosque Till Tomorrow, Deadline Set for Completion

Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court has temporarily halted the ongoing survey conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Gyanvapi mosque until Wednesday. The court, led by the Chief Justice, will hear the matter on that day. The ASI filed an affidavit before the High Court, and the court instructed them not to cause any harm to the structure during the survey.

To ensure a thorough survey, a team from IIT Kanpur will be called upon to utilize radar and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology. The ASI officer mentioned that the survey work started on July 24 at 9 AM, but only a small portion has been completed as they are still unsure about the exact site.

The Chief Justice urged the ASI to complete at least 95% of the survey by July 31 without causing any damage to the structure. This comes after the Varanasi district court’s order to employ advanced technologies like ground-penetrating radar and excavations, if required, for the survey.

Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, the mosque’s managing committee, moved the high court following the Supreme Court’s decision to halt the ASI survey until 5 pm on Wednesday. The committee’s counsel requested an early hearing before Chief Justice Diwaker, citing the urgency due to the impending expiration of the apex court’s order.