Gyanvapi survey continues, ASI gets extension to submit report

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Saturday continued the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, abutting the Kashi Vishwanath temple, for a second consecutive day amid tight security, even as the Varanasi district court granted the Union government agency an additional four weeks to submit its report by September 2.

- Sudhir Kumar

A 41-member ASI team, led by the agency's additional director general Prof Alok Tripahi, began the survey at 8am and it lasted till 5pm. The process was stopped at 12.30pm for two hours to allow Muslim devotees offer pray at the 17th-century mosque.

For the first time, representatives of the Muslim side also took part in the survey process. Mumtaz Ahmad and Akhlaque Ahmad, counsel for Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which manages the Gyanvapi mosque, also accompanied the survey team. The Muslim side did not participate in the survey on Friday.

Counsel for the Hindu plaintiffs said that remains of idols were found in the basement of the mosque during the ASI survey on Saturday, a claim rejected by the Muslim side.