Today, the Archaeological Survey of India has recently submitted a 'scientific survey' report on the Gyanvapi mosque to the Varanasi district judge's court in Uttar Pradesh

The report, presented as a sealed document earlier this week, leaves uncertainty regarding its public disclosure or dissemination to either the Hindu petitioners or the Muslim representatives involved in the case.

The next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday, marking the long-awaited continuation of proceedings.

The Muslim Party has expressed their opposition to the release of a public report, whereas the Hindu petitioners have raised objections to a sealed report.

The Varanasi court mandated a survey of the mosque grounds, excluding a section sealed off by the Top Court, aiming to ascertain whether the mosque, dating back to the late 17th century, was constructed atop a Hindu temple.

Certain right-wing groups assert that a temple was reportedly demolished under the directive of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb to clear the space for the construction of the mosque, situated adjacent to the renowned Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Following the validation of the Varanasi court's order by the Allahabad High Court, the survey commenced. The High Court emphasized the survey's significance "in the interest of justice," stating its potential to provide advantages to both parties involved in the dispute.

The Gyanvapi mosque committee subsequently approached the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court's order. On August 4, the Supreme Court declined to grant a stay. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, leading the bench, directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to refrain from conducting invasive actions. This directive effectively ruled out excavations that the Varanasi court had previously approved.

The Supreme Court issued an order mandating non-invasive survey techniques. It specified that specific areas, such as a structure identified during a video survey in April of the previous year and claimed by the petitioners as a'shivling,' were to remain inaccessible during the survey.

The mosque management committee raised concerns that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was conducting unauthorized digging in various areas, including the basement, within the 354-year-old complex. They highlighted the potential risk of structural instability and the possibility of a collapse due to these activities without proper permission. The controversy began in August 2021 when five Hindu women requested permission to offer prayers at a shrine situated behind the western wall of the mosque premises. Recently, the Allahabad High Court concluded hearings and reserved its judgment on a petition dating back to 1991. This petition challenged the validity of a lawsuit aiming to reclaim and rebuild a temple at the Gyanvapi mosque site.