Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal of the Allahabad High Court has taken the affidavit on record and granted the petitioner’s counsel two weeks to file a rejoinder, setting September 9 as the next hearing date.
![[Gyanvapi Case] ASI Survey of Wazukhana ‘Not Permissible’, Gyanvapi Committee Tells Allahabad HC|| Scheduled the Hearing on Sept 9](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/image-2024-08-23T111255.255.png?resize=600%2C338&ssl=1)
Allahabad: The Anjuman Intezamia Committee has informed the Allahabad High Court on Thursday (22nd Aug) that an ASI survey of the Wazukhana in the Gyanvapi Mosque is not permissible due to a Supreme Court order mandating the preservation of the area.
READ ALSO: Gyanvapi Mosque: Varanasi Court to Address Worship and ASI Survey on February 15
In a counter-affidavit, the committee emphasized that the issue involving the Wazukhana and the ‘Shiv Linga’ is still pending before the Supreme Court, which has issued a stay order ensuring the area’s preservation under the District Magistrate of Varanasi’s supervision.
The counter-affidavit stated,
“Therefore, any further action is not permissible. The petitioner should, instead, approach the apex court for clarification of its 2022 order.”
The affidavit further added,
“Given this context, the District Judge of Varanasi rightly dismissed the Hindu side’s application on October 21, 2023, seeking an ASI survey of the Wazukhana area, excluding the Shiva Linga within the Gyanvapi mosque, as the matter falls under the Supreme Court’s interim orders from the same suit.”
The committee argued that any further action should be pursued through the apex court for clarification of its 2022 ruling. The affidavit noted that the Varanasi District Judge’s rejection of the Hindu side’s October 21, 2023 application for an ASI survey of the Wazukhana, excluding the Shiva Linga, aligns with the Supreme Court’s interim orders.
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal of the Allahabad High Court has taken the affidavit on record and granted the petitioner’s counsel two weeks to file a rejoinder, setting September 9 as the next hearing date.
Petitioner Rakhi Singh, who is part of the Shringar Gauri worshipping suit in Varanasi, has challenged the Varanasi District Judge’s decision to deny the ASI survey, arguing that such a survey is essential for determining the religious nature of the entire property and aiding the court’s decision.
Singh’s counsel highlighted that a non-invasive survey of the Wazukhana, excluding the Shiva Linga, could be conducted as per the Supreme Court’s directive.
The ASI has previously conducted a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi, as ordered by the Varanasi District Judge on July 21, 2023, to investigate whether the mosque was built over a pre-existing Hindu temple.
