The Commission tasked with the videography survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex by a Varanasi court, on Tuesday sought additional time of two days for submission of its report, stating that taking in account the several hours of videography and the large number of pictures taken, the Commission needed more time to prepare the report.
The court had earlier asked the Commission to submit its report by Tuesday.
Ajay Pratap Singh, Assistant Advocate Commissioner, said “As per the orders of the court, the videography survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex took place from May 14 to 16 from 8 am to 12 noon, and its report was to be submitted to the court.
“We will not be able to submit the report today as the report is still under process,” he added.
The local court had yesterday directed the district administration to seal the spot in the Mosque complex, where a ‘Shivaling’ was claimed to have been found during the videography survey.
A petition challenging the videography survey of the Maa Shringar Gauri Sthal in the complex was also filed in the Supreme Court.
A Bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud today heard the plea filed by the Committee of Management of Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, Varanasi.
The Muslim body contended that it was contrary to the provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.
Meanwhile, the Hindu Sena has filed an intervention plea in the Supreme court, seeking dismissal of the appeal, stating that the Gyanvapi Mosque complex was exempted from the Places of Worship Act, 1991.
The petition said the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Shringar Gauri Temple within the Gyanvapi Mosque Complex fall under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, and therefore, are exempted from the Places of Worship Act, 1991, as per Section 4(3)(1).
It further stated that Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb destroyed the Kashi Vishwanath temple at the disputed site and built the Gyanvapi Mosque in its place.
The remains of the erstwhile temple can be seen in the foundation, the columns and at the rear part of the mosque, it added.