ASI resumes survey of Gyanvapi complex
Varanasi, Aug 4 : After the High Court order a team of experts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) resumed the scientific survey of Gyanvapi complex amid tight security arrangements on Friday.
The ASI team of more than 30 members entered the Gyanvapi complex from gate number 4 which is adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath temple at 7 am. Two plaintiffs in the original suit along with their counsels were present on the occasion.
A large number of security personnel have been deployed in and around the Gyanvapi Complex and vehicular movement between Godowlia to Gaidagin has been stopped during the survey. Office-bearers of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee and its lawyers, who have moved the Supreme Court against the High Court order, abstained from the survey.
The survey work which started at 7 am was halted at 12 noon in the wake of Friday namaz in Gyanvapi mosque. It is being said that the survey will start again after 2 pm, but it has not been confirmed by the administration officials.
It may be noted that the Allahabad HC on Thursday rejected the petition of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee challenging the order of the Varanasi High for the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex by the ASI.
In his order Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker stated, “In the opinion of the court, the scientific survey or investigation proposed to be carried out by the Commission, is necessary in the interest of justice and shall benefit the plaintiffs and defendants alike and come in aid of the trial court to arrive at a just decision.”
It may be mentioned that on July 21 the Varanasi district court ordered for a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex by the ASI, which was directed to submit its report by August 4.
However, the Anjuman Intezamia Committee moved the Supreme Court, which in its interim order stayed the Varanasi district court’s order directing the ASI to carry out a survey of Gyanvapi mosque, giving it time to file a petition in the High Court.
Following the SC order, the survey of Gyanvapi complex which started by the ASI on July 24 was called off.