Gyanvapi Row: Varanasi Court Questions ASI Over Need For Extra Time To Submit Scientific Survey Report, Hearing Tomorrow

The Varanasi district court on Wednesday (29 October) questioned the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) about the need for additional time to submit a scientific survey report of the Gyanvapi complex. The court has scheduled the matter for a hearing on Thursday.

District Judge AK Vishvesh, addressing the ASI's request for an extra three weeks, asked a senior ASI official to explain the reason for the extension. The ASI cited Varanasi officials handling the task and assured the court they would provide details.

Representing the Muslim side, lawyer Mohammad Ikhlaq objected to the ASI's repeated requests for more time, New Indian Express reported.

Earlier, on Tuesday, the ASI had sought an additional three weeks from the district court to submit the scientific survey report of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, stating the need for more time to assimilate information from various experts.

The Varanasi district court had initially set a deadline of November 28 for the ASI to submit the report on the Gyanvapi complex.

In its application, the ASI explained that the assimilation of information from various experts and tools is a complex and time-consuming process. The ASI began the survey in the barricaded area of the Gyanvapi mosque premises on 4 August, following court orders.

On 2 November, the ASI informed the court that it had "completed" the survey but required additional time to compile the report, including details of the survey equipment used.

The court initially granted an extension until 17 November and later set a new deadline for submission by 28 November. The ASI is conducting a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi premises to determine if the 17th-century mosque was built over a pre-existing Hindu temple structure, located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.