ASI Seeks Additional Time For Submitting Gyanvapi Complex Survey Report

The Archaeological Survey of India has asked for a 15-day extension to file its report on the survey of the Gyanvapi complext in Varanasi.

The survey itself, ordered by a court in Varanasi to determine whether the mosque was constructed atop a pre-existing Hindu temple, spanned 100 days and is now finished.

The court in Varanasi is set to consider the ASI's request for another extension today.

The ASI, which was initially supposed to submit its report last Monday, had already been given one 15-day extension on 2 November.

The court was told ASI needed more time to compile the findings of its survey.

The ASI had carried out the 'scientific survey' of the mosque premises, which is located next to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, to see if the 17th century mosque was built over a Hindu temple.

The survey began after the Allahabad High Court upheld the Varanasi court order on the same and ruled it 'necessary in the interest of justice'. The court said it would benefit both sides.

During an earlier hearing, the mosque management objected to the survey, alleging the ASI was digging in the basement, as well as other places in the complex, without permission and that it was accumulating debris against the structure's western wall, which risked its collapse.

According to the committee, the ASI was not authorised to remove debris or garbage during the survey.

The mosque committee also moved to the Supreme Court against the order of the Allahabad High Court. However, on 4 August, the apex court declined to stay the High Court's order regarding the survey.

A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, however, asked the ASI to refrain from invasive acts during the survey.

This ruled out excavations, which the Varanasi court said could be conducted.

The top court stressed that "non-invasive" methods had to be employed, NDTV reported.

In August 2021, five Hindu women filed a plea for prayers at the Shringar Gauri shrine, which is inside the mosque complex.

Hindu activists assert a temple existed earlier - where the mosque now stands - and was demolished in the 17th century on the order of Aurangzeb.