Gyanvapi dispute: ASI told to submit objects found in survey to District Magistrate

District court says objects of historical significance and those related to Hinduism should be submitted to district authorities

File picture of the members of the Archaeological Survey of India team conducting a scientific survey at the Gyanvapi mosque complex, in Varanasi, on August 8, 2023 | Photo Credit: PTI

The Varanasi district court directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to submit objects found during its survey of the Gyanvapi mosque, which are related to Hinduism or are historically significant, with the District Magistrate (DM). 

The order pronounced by District Judge A.K. Vishvesha on Wednesday also directed the DM, or any person nominated by him, to protect the objects submitted by the ASI and present them before the Court when required.

The order was passed by the court while allowing two applications moved by Rakhi Singh, a plaintiff in the Shringar Gauri worshipping suit of 2022, which demands worship rights inside the Gyanvapi mosque. The suit is pending before this court.

Advocate Saurabh Tiwari, appearing for Ms. Singh, informed that in one of the applications, his client had sought an order ‘preserving’ the Gyanvapi Mosque premises claiming that the mosque committee is destroying the historical evidence related to the Hindu religion available at the disputed site.

“The second application requests sealing and protecting certain areas of Gyanvapi Mosque premises so that no damage can be done to symbols of Hinduism by either the mosque committee or those who come to the mosque to offer namaz,” Mr. Tiwari said.