Supreme Court Stays ASI Survey in Gyanvapi, Mosque Committee to Move High Court

New Delhi, July 24, 2023: In a significant development, the Supreme Court has issued a stay on the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey to determine whether the Gyanvapi mosque, located adjacent to the revered Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, was constructed upon a temple site.

The stay order will be in effect until 5 pm on July 26, providing the mosque committee with the opportunity to approach the Allahabad High Court.

The apex court’s decision came in response to the submissions made by senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, who represented the mosque committee in the court. Acknowledging the gravity of the matter, a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud granted the stay and directed the mosque committee to file an appeal before the Allahabad High Court during this period.

Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi mosque case, responded to the Supreme Court’s order, stating their intention to challenge it in the High Court. Jain emphasized the need for a thorough ASI survey to ascertain the truth regarding the historical significance of the Gyanvapi complex. He affirmed their compliance with the court’s decision while expressing their firm resolve to present their case in the appropriate legal forum.

Earlier, the Varanasi Court had ordered the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, with the exception of the ‘Wazukhana’ area, which remains sealed. The matter has generated intense interest and debate surrounding the heritage and religious significance of the site.

In the interim, the Supreme Court has directed the ASI not to conduct any excavation until 11:15 am on the same day. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, informed the court that the ongoing activities were limited to measurement, photography, and radar scanning, with no invasive work or excavation planned.

The Gyanvapi mosque case has evoked passionate reactions from various quarters. As the legal battle unfolds, the nation watches closely, and the ultimate decision on the fate of the Gyanvapi complex rests with the High Court, unaffected by the observations of the Supreme Court.