The Allahabad High Court has stayed the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque Premises until Thursday.
On that day, the court will deliver its order regarding the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee’s challenge to the Varanasi District Judge’s July 21 ASI Survey order of the Gyanvapi Mosque.
The Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker passed this order after hearing both parties present their arguments.
The Anjuman Mosque Committee had moved the High Court yesterday to challenge the Varanasi Court’s order directing the ASI to survey the mosque premises, excluding the wuzukhana.
This order was made based on an application filed by four Hindu women worshippers who are part of a lawsuit seeking year-round access to worship inside the mosque premises.
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The Supreme Court had previously stayed the ASI survey until July 26 at 5 PM to allow the Masjid committee time to approach the High Court. Yesterday, the High Court extended the stay until Thursday (July 27).
During the hearing, the Anjuman Committee argued that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was not a party to the lawsuit and was not noticed by the Varanasi Court. Despite this, the District Judge had directed the ASI to survey the mosque premises.
The Anjuman Committee also raised concerns that the entire mosque premises would be destroyed if the scientific survey was conducted as claimed by the Hindu women worshippers.
