Gyanvapi Mosque: The Allahabad High Court decided today that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) must continue its investigation at the Gyanvapi site to ascertain whether the mosque was built over a temple since it is “in the interest of justice”. The Varanasi court ruling directing the ASI to perform a scientific study in the mosque grounds last month was challenged by the Muslim side, but the Varanasi High Court dismissed the case.
Allahabad High Court affirms ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque, calls for swift resolution
“Issue of a commission is permissible. The Varanasi Court was justified in ordering for ASI survey of the premises. The scientific survey is necessary in the interest of justice,” the High Court said, adding that the survey can resume immediately. Tomorrow will see the continuation of the inspection of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, which is close to the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple. “The Allahabad High Court has said that the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex can start. The sessions court order has been upheld by the HC,” Vishnu Shankar Jain, the lawyer representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi survey case told news agency ANI. The High Court ruled that no adjournments or delays should be permitted by the relevant trial court and ordered an early resolution to the “long pending” Gyanvapi proceedings.
ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque to resume with full support
“The ASI has sought our support to resume the survey of the Gyanvapi mosque from tomorrow. We will provide them with all the support,” an official told India Today. On July 27, the court put off making a decision regarding a claim against the ASI survey until August 3. A Varanasi court ordered the ASI to conduct the survey, including excavations, whenever necessary, on July 21 in order to ascertain whether the mosque was erected on top of a previous temple location. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said, “I welcome this verdict. I am confident that the truth will come out after the ASI survey and the Gyanvapi issue will be resolved.” The mosque committee sought the Supreme Court, which immediately delayed the survey after it had begun on July 24. This gave the committee time to file an appeal against the lower court’s decision. The lawyer for the mosque committee had voiced concern that the excavation and survey may harm the building. The Supreme Court has received assurances from the Centre that the survey won’t change the structure in any way.
Petition seeks protection of ‘Hindu signs and symbols’ in Gyanvapi mosque complex
The Allahabad High Court has received a petition asking for protection of “Hindu signs and symbols” in Varanasi’s Gyanvapi mosque complex. Rakhi Singh, one of the petitioners in the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri case, has filed the argument. In the PIL, it is argued that non-Hindus should be forbidden from entering the premises while the Varanasi court renders its decision in the Shringar Gauri case and that directives should be issued to safeguard Hindu symbols located on the Gyanvapi premises. On August 7, there will be a hearing in this subject. According to Mohammad Yasin, the secretary of the Intezamia Masjid Committee, they have not yet received a copy of the new petition. “Once we receive the copy of the petition, our legal team will prepare its reply,” he said.
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