New Delhi: Hours after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) began its survey at the Gyanvapi Mosque on Monday, July 24, the Supreme Court ordered officials concerned to halt it until 5 pm on Wednesday, July 26, to allow the Muslim side “breathing time” to approach the Allahabad high court against a July 21 order of the Varanasi District Court which allowed a scientific survey of the mosque premises located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.A team of ASI experts along with members from the Hindu side had reached the site at 7:30 am and began its work. However, it was called off following the apex court order around 11:15 am.“We are of the view that some breathing time should be granted to the mosque committee,” said Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.The top court made it clear that the Varanasi district court order cannot be enforced until 5 pm on July 26. “If the petitioner moves the high court, the registrar-judicial of the high court should ensure that it is placed before a bench so that it is heard before the status quo order ends,” the order further stated.The apex court’s order is in response to a contempt petition filed by the Gyanvapi mosque management committee, challenging the district court’s order for an ASI survey of the mosque complex. que complex.Last week, the Varanasi district court had said that the ASI should survey the mosque except for the barricaded ‘wazukhana’ in the premises, which was sealed based on an earlier Supreme Court order.The district court had instructed the ASI to submit its “scientific survey” by August 4. Wazukhana, where the Muslims do their ritual ablutions before offering namaz, will not be part of the survey. The Supreme Court’s order to seal the spot came after Hindu litigants claimed that a Shivling existed there before a mosque came up on it.The order by the district court of A.K. Vishvesh on Friday upheld the petition of a group of Hindus seeking a survey to determine if the Mughal-era mosque was built at the site of an earlier Hindu temple.The Uttar Pradesh police had reportedly put in place security arrangements for the duration of the survey. “Parking facilities have been made and barricading has also been done. All devotees can take a ‘darshan’ smoothly, and all security arrangements are in place,” DCP Kashi Zone, Ram Sewak Gautam, said.#WATCH | Varanasi, UP: Police team enters Gyanvapi mosque complex, ASI survey begins pic.twitter.com/kAY9CwN0Eq— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) July 24, 2023According to The Indian Express, a 30-member ASI team was at the site. While Hindu litigants and their lawyers are reportedly present as well, the mosque management boycotted the survey. “None of the members of the Muslim side will be present during the survey,” Syed Mohammad, Joint Secretary of the Masjid Committee, had said, according to NDTV.This article, first published at 10:52 am on July 24, 2023, was republished at 9:20 pm on the same day with additional details.
