On Wednesday, a Varanasi district court ordered the ASI to make public its report on the Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath temple.
Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath Temple: In the ongoing court case over the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) investigation report on the Gyanvapi complex has suggested that the “mosque was built on the remains of a pre-existing temple”. This was claimed by Vishnu Shankar Jain, the counsel for the Hindu side, on Thursday. It is said that the Gyanvapi Mosque was built in 1669 by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb after the demolition of a Shiva temple.
While talking to the media, Vishnu Shankar Jain said that the copies of the investigation report, comprising 839 pages, were made available by the court to the concerned parties late on Thursday evening, adding that the investigation report makes it clear that the mosque on the remains built. of an already existing temple by demolishing it in the past.
The investigation report contains sufficient evidence for the existence of a temple on which the mosque is built, Jain claimed.
A total of 11 people, including from both Hindu and Muslim sides, filed an application in the court earlier in the day seeking the ASI investigation report on the Gyanvapi complex adjoining the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
On Wednesday, a Varanasi district court ordered the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to make public its report on the Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath temple and share the hard copies of the report with both parties. Notably, a few weeks earlier, the Supreme Court had approved a petition by Hindu women petitioners seeking to clear the entire 'wazukhana' area of the Gyanvapi Mosque.
Commenting on Wednesday's order, lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain said, “Today the court heard both sides and a consensus was reached that the hard copy of the ASI report will be provided to both parties. The ASI objected to the report being provided via email. Both parties therefore agreed to receive the paper version of the report.
“The court listened to both sides today. After hearing both sides, an agreement was reached that a certified copy of the ASI report would be made available to both sides. Once the court issues the order, our legal team will request the certified copy.”
Earlier, a Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra had said that the area of 'wazukhana' will be cleaned under the supervision of the Varanasi district administration in view of the top court's previous orders. .
The Gyanvapi Mosque Management Committee said it supports the cleaning of the water tank, which has remained sealed for almost two years as per the apex court's order. The 'wazukhana' area was sealed off in 2022 on the orders of the Supreme Court following the discovery of what was said to be a 'Shivling'.
(With input from agencies)