The Allahabad High Court on Monday adjourned the hearing of a petition seeking a fresh survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of the ablution pond (wazukhana) in the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi. The matter will now be heard on July 4, after the court was informed of an interim directive by the Supreme Court barring all courts from passing orders in suits related to religious places.
The petition, filed by Rakhi Singh, challenged an earlier order of the Varanasi district judge, which had declined to allow a survey of the entire wazukhana area, excluding a specific structure that the Hindu side claims is a Shivling and the Muslim side describes as a fountain.
In her plea, Singh contended that a scientific survey of the entire ablution pond was essential in the “interest of justice” and would help both parties by providing clarity on the religious character of the site.
The ASI has already carried out a detailed scientific survey of the broader Gyanvapi complex following a July 2023 order of the Varanasi district court, aimed at determining whether the mosque was constructed over a pre-existing Hindu temple. The findings of that survey have been submitted to the district court.
However, the wazukhana area was excluded from the scope of that ASI survey, owing to a Supreme Court directive protecting the disputed structure. Singh’s petition seeks to lift that restriction to allow a complete survey of the ablution pond.
The High Court deferred proceedings, citing the Supreme Court’s blanket restraint on judicial directions in religious property disputes.
