ASI Requests More Time to Submit Report on Varanasi’s Gyanvapi Mosque Survey

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has requested a 15-day extension to submit its report on the “scientific survey” conducted at the Gyanvapi mosque complex. This survey, which aimed to determine if the mosque was built over a Hindu temple, lasted for over 100 days and was ordered by a Varanasi court.

The Varanasi court is set to consider the plea for a second extension at 2 pm. The ASI was initially supposed to submit its report on Monday but had already been granted one extension on November 2. ASI officials claimed they needed more time to compile the survey findings.

The ASI conducted the survey on the mosque premises, which is situated adjacent to the renowned Kashi Vishwanath Temple, to investigate whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed on top of a Hindu temple.

The survey was initiated after the Allahabad High Court upheld a Varanasi district court order, deeming it “necessary in the interest of justice.” The court believed that conducting the survey would benefit both the petitioners and the mosque.

During a previous hearing, the mosque management expressed objections to the survey, accusing the ASI of unauthorized digging in the basement and other areas of the complex. They also claimed that the accumulation of debris against the western wall of the structure posed a risk of collapse.

The panel clarified that the ASI did not have permission to remove debris or garbage during the survey of the premises.