Today, Allahabad High Court rejects plea filed by Muslim party challenging the Varanasi court order allowing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises.

Te bench of Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker passed the order,

''Noting that scientific survey is important in the interest of justice.'' the Court said.

Last week , the Court reserved the verdict while stating that interim stay imposed by the apex court on the scientific survey, shall stand extended till August 3.

On July 21, Varanasi district court judge AK Vishwesha had allowed the ASI survey.

The Muslim party then moved the High Court with the present plea.

The Gyanvapi mosque has been the subject of dispute after Hindu devotees approached a civil court seeking the right to worship inside Gyanvapi Mosque, claiming that it was a Hindu temple and that it still houses Hindu deities.

The report, among other things, stated that an object similar in appearance to a Shivling was found.

The present matter concerns disputed claims over whether the structure found on the premises of the Gyanvapi mosque during that earlier survey was a Shivaling, as claimed by the Hindu parties in the case.

On October 14, 2022, the district court had passed an order rejecting a plea for scientific investigation to ascertain whether the object was a Shivling or a fountain.

However, during the hearing in May, the Court held that a scientific investigation can be done to ascertain whether the object was a Shiva Linga or a fountain, without damaging the object.

This matter is presently pending before the top court.

However, the District Court on July 21 ordered an ASI survey of the mosque premises excluding the area previously sealed by the Supreme Court (wuzukhana or an ablution pond).