ASI submits inquiry report on Gyanvapi Mosque to Varanasi District Court

File photo of the Gyanvapi Mosque (Photo: PTI)

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) submitted its scientific research report on the Gyanvapi Mosque complex in a sealed cover to the Varanasi District Court on Monday, December 18. India Today (IT).

The news comes after the court granted a week's extension to the ASI to submit its investigation report on the Gynavapi Mosque complex in Varanasi. The report will be shared with submitters on December 21. A copy of the report will also be sent to the apex court, the IT report said.

The counsel representing the Hindu side, Madan Mohan Yadav, said, “The ASI today submitted its scientific research report in the Varanasi District Court.”

Why is the research being conducted?

The ASI conducted a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi building, located next to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The research aims to find out whether the 17th century mosque was built on a pre-existing Hindu temple structure. The investigation was initiated following an order by the Allahabad High Court which upheld the order of the Varanasi District Court and held that the scientific research was essential and “necessary in the interest of justice” and would benefit both the Hindu and Muslim communities .

Supreme Court Direction on Investigation

Following the Allahabad High Court's direction, the Gyanvapi Commission approached the Supreme Court seeking stay of the order. However, the Supreme Court on August 4 ruled in favor of the Allahabad High Court order and refused to order a stay. IT report said.

However, the bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra directed the ASI not to perform any invasive acts during the investigation. In other words, the apex court denied the ASI any excavation. The Varanasi District Court had said in its order that excavations could be carried out if necessary.

First print: December 18, 2023 | 4:28 pm IST