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Varanasi Court Grants ASI An Eight-Week-Extension To Complete Scientific Survey Of Gyanvapi Complex

Abhay Rathore

Sep 08, 2023, 05:04 PM | Updated 05:05 PM IST


The disputed Gyanvapi structure premises. (Wikipedia)
The disputed Gyanvapi structure premises. (Wikipedia)

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been granted an extension of eight weeks by the Varanasi court to complete its scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex, as per a report by Times Of India.

Initially, the ASI was given four weeks to complete the survey and submit a report, with the deadline set for 2 September.

The lawyers representing the Hindu litigants have requested the ASI not to submit the final report yet, as they believe the survey is still incomplete.

Following the order from the Allahabad high court, the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex, excluding the 'wuzukhana', began on 4 August.

The purpose of this survey is to determine whether the 17th-century mosque was built on top of a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple. The complex is located adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

On 3 August, the plea filed by the Muslim side, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, challenging the Varanasi court's decision to allow the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, was dismissed by the high court.

Abhay Rathore is Staff Writer at Swarajya.


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