ASI resumes work on scientific survey of Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque complex

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) resumed its scientific survey at the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi on Saturday to determine whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.

The survey began in the morning and is expected to conclude by 5 pm on Saturday.

On Muslim side extending support to Gyanvapi survey, Vishnu Shankar Jain, lawyer of Hindu side, said that "They (Muslim side) are not supporting us."

Whereas, Mumtaz Ahmad, one of the lawyers for Anjuman Committee, said that "We will support it."

"We want people to cooperate in the survey and get it completed as soon as possible," said Sudhir Tripathi, lawyer of the Hindu side.

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The Supreme Court on Friday declined to stay the Allahabad High Court's order regarding the ASI survey, despite objections from the Muslim side who believe it may "reopen wounds of the past".

The bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, however, asked the ASI not to carry out any invasive act during the survey.

This ruled out excavations, which the Varanasi court had said can be conducted if necessary. The Supreme Court nod on Friday came just hours after an ASI team had already resumed the detailed scientific survey ordered by the Varanasi district court on 21 July.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee had challenged the district court's order in the Allahabad High Court, which dismissed its petition on Thursday. The Muslim body then quickly approached the Supreme Court.

On Friday, the Varanasi court also granted the ASI an additional month to complete the survey, extending its original deadline from Friday to 4 September.

With inputs from PTI