VARANASI: Ahead of the Varanasi district judge’s decision on opening the sealed envelopes containing Archaeological Survey of India‘s report on the Gyanvapi mosque survey, ASI filed a fresh application on Wednesday, urging the court to postpone the disclosure of the report for four weeks.
In response to the plea, the court reserved its order on the matter and will decide on Thursday whether to provide the report to the parties involved in the original Shirngar Gauri suit (No.18/2022 Rakhi Singh and others vs. UP state and others). Four women plaintiffs through their advocate requested that the survey report be opened and a copy be given to them.
ASI stated in its application that in compliance with Allahabad HC’s order of December 19, 2023, in a different but related case (suit no. 610/1991 Ancient Idol of Swayambhu Lord Vishweshwar vs. Anjuman Intezamia Masjid), ASI must present the same survey report before the civil judge (senior division) of the fast track court. Government counsel Amit Srivastava said: “We have provided reasons for the request to defer/adjourn proceeding concerning opening & disclosure of the sealed survey report submitted by ASI for four weeks.”
ASI’s application pointed out the concerns about potential rumours and misrepresentations in public domain if the report is unsealed and disclosed before compliance with HC order. Srivastava said that ASI is diligently working on submitting the copy of the survey report in compliance with HC order, and for the smooth process, the report before current court should remain sealed until then.
Srivastava highlighted the need for additional survey work in areas overlooked in the initial ASI survey.
The property on which Gyanvapi mosque exists comprises three plots, including 1930, 1931, & 1932. So far, ASI has covered areas in plot 1930. The Hindu side is demanding survey on plots 1931 & 1932, along with the wuzukhana and the area beneath the central dome of the mosque.
In response to the plea, the court reserved its order on the matter and will decide on Thursday whether to provide the report to the parties involved in the original Shirngar Gauri suit (No.18/2022 Rakhi Singh and others vs. UP state and others). Four women plaintiffs through their advocate requested that the survey report be opened and a copy be given to them.
ASI stated in its application that in compliance with Allahabad HC’s order of December 19, 2023, in a different but related case (suit no. 610/1991 Ancient Idol of Swayambhu Lord Vishweshwar vs. Anjuman Intezamia Masjid), ASI must present the same survey report before the civil judge (senior division) of the fast track court. Government counsel Amit Srivastava said: “We have provided reasons for the request to defer/adjourn proceeding concerning opening & disclosure of the sealed survey report submitted by ASI for four weeks.”
ASI’s application pointed out the concerns about potential rumours and misrepresentations in public domain if the report is unsealed and disclosed before compliance with HC order. Srivastava said that ASI is diligently working on submitting the copy of the survey report in compliance with HC order, and for the smooth process, the report before current court should remain sealed until then.
Srivastava highlighted the need for additional survey work in areas overlooked in the initial ASI survey.
The property on which Gyanvapi mosque exists comprises three plots, including 1930, 1931, & 1932. So far, ASI has covered areas in plot 1930. The Hindu side is demanding survey on plots 1931 & 1932, along with the wuzukhana and the area beneath the central dome of the mosque.
