As Gyanvapi survey enters 7th day, Muslim side seeks ban again, moves court

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) continued its scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi for the seventh consecutive day on Tuesday to determine if the mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.

Meanwhile, the Muslim petitioners have filed an application with a district court judge seeking a ban on the media coverage of the survey.

"The ASI survey is going on as per the orders of the court and no official statement has been given by any officer. But there has been constant coverage of the survey on social media, television and newspapers," the Muslim side said in its application.

Terming the media coverage of the survey 'misleading', the Muslim litigants said it will influence the opinion of the people and must be stopped.

MUSLIM SIDE SEEKS SURVEY BAN

The Muslim side has once again demanded that the survey carried out by the ASI should be banned and has moved an application in a district court. The matter will be heard today at 2.30 pm.

In its application, the Muslim side has argued that as per rule 70 of General civil rules, commission cost has to be deposited in advance in court before the commencement of the commission proceedings. The same argument was presented in the Allahabad High Court today but the CJI had ordered to continue the survey.

On the sixth day of the survey, the ASI team measured the domes and basement of the Gyanvapi complex and also surveyed the northern walls.

The ASI team is measuring and mapping areas with machines, including 3D imaging instruments, and carried out the photography of the complex. The advocates and plaintiffs have been directed to remain tightlipped about the ASI survey.

Members of the Muslim side were also present during the survey. They boycotted the exercise on the first day of the survey.

The team divided itself into three groups and surveyed the northern wall, the dome and the basements of the complex, a government counsel told news agency PTI.

Vishnu Shankar Jain, the Hindu side's lawyer, said a detailed scientific study is being done inside the premises according to the court order. Another lawyer said the ASI team is collecting evidence and besides the dome and pavilion of the complex, the basements were surveyed, PTI reported.

Earlier, the ASI took pictures and videos of the trident (trishul), swastika, bell and a flower-like symbol engraved on the walls and pillars of the Gyanvapi complex. ASI officials also recorded the construction style of the symbols.

On August 3, the Allahabad High Court dismissed a petition by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which manages Gyanvapi, against a lower court order directing the ASI to survey the mosque. The high court order was upheld by the Supreme Court the next day.