Shillong, August 3: In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court has upheld the order of a Varanasi court, permitting the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. The court has dismissed the plea put forth by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee and allowed the ASI survey to resume immediately.
As per India Today, the high court stated that the ASI survey is essential in the pursuit of justice and must be conducted under specific conditions. Vishnu Shankar Jain, the lawyer representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi survey case, expressed his contentment with the court’s decision, affirming that the sessions court’s order has been upheld.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya also welcomed the court’s verdict, expressing confidence that the truth would be revealed through the ASI survey, leading to the resolution of the Gyanvapi issue.
Prior to this ruling, the Allahabad High Court had reserved its verdict until August 3 after considering a plea against the ASI survey. On July 21, a Varanasi court had directed the ASI to carry out the survey, including excavations if necessary, to determine whether the mosque was constructed on the site of a pre-existing temple.
The ASI had initiated the survey on July 24; however, it was halted within hours by the Supreme Court following an appeal from the mosque committee. The Supreme Court granted the committee time to appeal against the lower court’s order.
The counsel representing the mosque committee had expressed concerns that the survey and excavation might cause damage to the structure. To allay these fears, the Centre assured the Supreme Court that the survey would not alter the structure in any way.