Accepting the request of the Archaeological Survey of India, a Varanasi court on Thursday gave additional time to the ASI to complete a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi and submit its report. District Judge A K Vishvesh passed the order to extend the deadline for the submission of the survey report till November 17, said Central government counsel Amit Srivastava.
The court was informed that the ASI has completed its survey, but it may take some more time for compiling the report along with the details of the equipment used in the survey work and requested for additional time, Srivastava said.
The ASI is carrying out a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, next to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple here, to determine whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing temple.
The ASI survey began in July after the Allahabad High Court upheld a Varanasi district court order and ruled that the step is "necessary in the interest of justice" and will benefit both the Hindu and Muslim sides.
The mosque committee had also moved the Supreme Court against the high court's order. The apex court had on August 4 refused to stay the high court's order on the ASI survey.
In its order, the apex court, however, asked the ASI not to carry out any invasive act during the survey.
(With PTI inputs)
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