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Synopsis

A Varanasi court on Wednesday restricted media coverage at the site of the survey of the Gyanvapi complex by Archeological Survey of India (ASI). Additionally, the court instructed the survey team members to refrain from providing statements to any media outlet.

As per media reports, District Judge AK Vishvesh passed the order in a plea filed by the Gyanvapi management committee seeking prohibition on media coverage of the ongoing survey.

The survey by the ASI started at Gyanvapi following the decision of the Allahabad High Court dismissing the plea moved by Anjuman Intezamia Mosque Committee, Varanasi against the order of the Varanasi Court passed on July 21 directing the (ASI) to conduct a survey of Gyanvapi without causing any damage. 

The Varanasi District Court, on July 21, had allowed the plea moved by four Hindu worshippers seeking a survey of the entire Gyanvapi premises except for the Wazukhana area by ASI.

It was the Hindu worshippers claim that the present structure at Gyanvapi was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple and an ASI survey will unravel the truth.

Significantly, during a survey conducted by a court-appointed commission on May 16, 2022, a structure resembling a Shivlingam was discovered within the Wazookhana of the Gyanavpi complex.

The request made by the Hindu worshipper for an ASI survey was strongly opposed by the mosque management committee.

Against the Varanasi Court’s order, the committee moved the top court, which directed it to seek relief before the high court, however, the high court eventually gave a green signal to the exercise.

[Inputs: PTI]