Gyanvapi mosque case: SC allows ASI survey to continue

DELVING INTO THE PAST

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with the Allahabad High Court order permitting the “scientific survey” of the Gyanvapi mosque premises in Varanasi, stating that at this stage it will not go into the root of the matter whether such an order can be passed in the face of the Places of Worship (Special Provision) Act, 1991.

Even before the Supreme Court decision, an ASI team had started the survey work in the Gyanvapi mosque complex in the morning, which continued through the day, except for a 90minute break during Jume ka Namaz (Friday prayers) in the afternoon.

Refusing to stay the 3 August High Court order, a Bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud maintained: “What is frivolous to one is faith to the other side.”

Chief Justice Chandrachud said this as senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, told the Bench: “If someone now comes and files a frivolous plea saying that there is a monument below this structure, will you order ASI survey?”