ASI gets one more week from Varanasi court to file Gyanvapi survey report

The ASI had to submit the report on Monday since it was given “final” 10 days time by the court on November 30. The agency, however, filed an application on Monday seeking more time.

This is the eighth time that the court has granted an extension to the ASI to file its survey report.

“We sought a week’s time citing the ill health of Superintending Archaeologist Avinash Mohanty who suffered a sudden increase in blood pressure and was unable to appear in the court. Our request was entertained by the court.

The next date of hearing is December 18,” said advocate Amit Srivastava, who is representing the ASI in Varanasi in the case.

The scientific survey of the complex was ordered by the Varanasi district court on July 21 this year.

District and Sessions Judge AK Vishvesha had directed the ASI to “undertake scientific investigation/survey/excavation at the property in question i.e. settlement plot number 9130 (Gyanvapi mosque)”.

The survey was to exclude the wazukhana area that was sealed on the order of the Supreme Court.

The survey was halted after the mosque committee approached the Allahabad High Court, and then the Supreme Court, seeking a stay on the survey. Both the courts cleared the decks for the survey which was resumed on August 4 amid tight security arrangements.

The ASI teams have been surveying the campus since.