Gyanvapi Mosque: Submit All Objects Related To Hindu Religion, Says Varanasi Court Order

New Delhi: Varanasi Court on Thursday directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to submit all objects found in the ongoing Scientific Survey of the Gyanvapi premises to the district magistrate.

The Hindu side had demanded an evidence room to preserve the ‘proofs’ collected during the ASI survey, in addition to reserving the Gyanvapi Mosque premises. The Muslim side on the other hand raised objections to the ASI’s use of machines and equipment to conduct the survey.

Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, an advocate appearing for the Hindu side, was quoted by news agency ANI as saying, “Our main point in today’s hearing will be that the evidence collected by the ASI during the survey should be kept in an evidence room.”

On September 18, the Allahabad High Court will hear a petition challenging the maintainability of a suit seeking “restoration” of a temple where the Gyanvapi Mosque stands in Varanasi. The petition was filed by Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, the committee that manages the Gyanvapi Mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The court will also hear a petition challenging a Varanasi court direction in 2021 to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi Bosque by a commission headed by an advocate.