Varanasi | PTI | On August 4th, following the order from the Allahabad High Court, a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) began the survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Gyanvapi case in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Madan Mohan Yadav, the lawyer representing the Hindu party, informed PTI that the ASI team comprising 43 members entered the Gyanvapi premises at around 7 a.m. and started the survey. The survey is expected to be completed by noon, with a possible duration of five to six days.

Yadav stated that during the survey, the Hindu party’s lawyers were present with their legal representatives, while no one from the Muslim party was in attendance.

The Muslim party has decided to refrain from participating in the survey. Syed Mohammad Yasin, Secretary of the Anjuman Intejamia Masjid Committee, confirmed this stance. Yasin explained that the Muslim party’s lawyers would not be part of the survey since they have already challenged the decision of the highest court regarding the survey.

He further clarified, “The High Court has ordered the ASI to conduct the survey without causing any harm to the Gyanvapi Mosque. The Anjuman Intejamia Masjid Committee had filed an appeal against this order in the High Court, which is scheduled for hearing today. We have already informed the authorities in Varanasi about it.”

Yasin also mentioned that they had requested the survey to be suspended until the High Court’s decision was announced. Although their lawyers had sent a letter to the local authorities, they did not receive any response. Consequently, the committee held a meeting late at night and decided to abstain from the survey.

Earlier, after the decision of the Varanasi district court, the ASI team had begun the survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex on July 24. However, the survey was halted just a few hours later due to a hearing on the plea filed by the Anjuman Intejamia Masjid Committee. The court then directed the matter to be presented before the Allahabad High Court.

On August 3, the High Court dismissed the plea from the Muslim party, allowing the lower court’s order to conduct the survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex to stand.

With the matter now before the highest court, the Muslim party has presented its challenge against the decision, seeking resolution and clarity on the ongoing dispute.