Varanasi Court Grants ASI An Eight-Week-Extension To Complete Scientific Survey Of Gyanvapi Complex

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been granted an extension of eight weeks by the Varanasi court to complete its scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex, as per a report by Times Of India.

Initially, the ASI was given four weeks to complete the survey and submit a report, with the deadline set for 2 September.

The lawyers representing the Hindu litigants have requested the ASI not to submit the final report yet, as they believe the survey is still incomplete.

The purpose of this survey is to determine whether the 17th-century mosque was built on top of a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple. The complex is located adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

On 3 August, the plea filed by the Muslim side, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, challenging the Varanasi court's decision to allow the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, was dismissed by the high court.