Varanasi: A Varanasi court has rejected a plea requesting an additional Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) examination of the entire Gyanvapi Mosque complex, particularly the areas beneath the mosque’s central dome. Civil Judge (Senior Division), Yugal Sharma, dismissed the plea filed in February in a case dating back to 1991, which involves the Gyanvapi Masjid and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Petitioners had sought an ASI survey of the areas beneath the disputed structure, alleging that a Swayambhu Jyotirling and its Argha could lie beneath, reports the Live Law.
The court emphasised that the ASI’s report on an initial survey of the complex is pending review. Additionally, previous orders from Allahabad High Court and the Supreme Court direct that the ASI should use non-invasive methods only, prohibiting any excavation that could damage the structure.
The Hindu petitioners, represented by Advocate Vijay Shankar Rastogi, claimed a Shiva Linga lies under the main dome of the mosque and requested ASI access to unexamined areas. The plea also asked ASI to determine if the mosque is an overlay on a Hindu temple, assessing the historical and archaeological characteristics of any underlying structures.
Anjuman Intezamia Mosque Committee has opposed excavation efforts, and the court supported this stance by observing the Supreme Court’s prohibition against any invasive measures.
The ASI survey was initially ordered by the Varanasi District Judge in July to investigate if the mosque stands on a pre-existing Hindu structure. The court found no basis for further surveys and dismissed the petition in light of Supreme Court and High Court guidelines.
