The Varanasi District Court has granted permission for a comprehensive survey of the entire Gyanvapi mosque premises (excluding Wuzukhana) by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The court's decision came after an application was filed by four Hindu women worshippers seeking year-round worshipping rights in the Gyanvapi Mosque compound.

The application, filed under Section 75(e) and Order 26 Rule 10A of the CPC, claims that the site in question once housed a Swayambhu Jyotirlinga, an ancient sacred symbol in Hinduism, which existed for hundreds of thousands of years. However, it asserts that the Jyotirlinga was repeatedly damaged and destroyed by Muslim invaders starting from Mahmud Ghazni's attack in 1017 AD. One of the most notable incidents mentioned in the application was the issuance of a Farman by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1669, ordering the demolition of the Temple of Lord Adivisheshwar at the site. As a result, a new temple dedicated to Kashi Vishwanath was later built adjacent to the old demolished temple by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar in 1777-1780.

The plea further contends that the current structure of the Gyanvapi Mosque, despite being in a dilapidated state, bears numerous signs and artifacts of its ancient Hindu temple past. To substantiate these claims, the application refers to an incident on May 16, 2022, where Advocate Commissioners, appointed by the court, allegedly discovered a 'Shiva Linga' on the first floor of the building, which was later sealed by the Supreme Court.

In support of their assertions, the application highlights the need for scientific investigation and expert opinion by the ASI to determine the true nature of the structure and any potential pre-existing Hindu temple. It calls for various scientific methods, including Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys, excavations, dating exercises, and other modern techniques, to be employed in the survey. The ultimate goal is to present concrete evidence before the court and establish whether the Gyanvapi Mosque was indeed constructed over an ancient Hindu temple.

The court's decision to allow the ASI to conduct the survey signifies a significant step in the ongoing legal battle regarding the religious and historical significance of the Gyanvapi Mosque premises. The survey's findings are expected to shed light on the contested past of the site and may have implications for the worshiping rights of Hindu devotees in the future.