The Allahabad High Court asked the Archaeological Survey Of India (ASI) to file its reply on the safe evaluation of the age of the 'Shiva Linga', allegedly found inside the Gyanvapi Mosque complex. The court asked whether a safe evaluation can be done.
The bench of Justice Arvind Kumar Mishra-I asked to expedite the process and not delay the matter any further, reported Live Law. He said the time extension application filed by the ASI is working against the interest of justice.
The matter is now posted for hearing on April 5.
"Further time should not be sought by the Archaeological Survey of India as the Archaeological Survey of India may take advice as it thinks appropriate by embarking upon process which would expedite the matter because the issue on merits has been kept pending since long for obtaining report of the Archaeological Survey of India which time extension application is working against interest of justice and it should not be allowed to go on any furth from April 5," said the court.
The court is expecting the ASI to take appropriate steps to arrive at a conclusion using carbon dating, ground penetrating radar, excavation, and other methods in compliance. The ASI had sought more time for its and other agencies' opinions and reports to be filed.
The Revisionists (Laxmi Devi And 3 Others) have moved the HC seeking direction to the ASI to conduct a scientific probe of the 'Shiva Linga'. They also seek the ASI to give an opinion through a Commission for scientific investigation to determine the age, nature, and other constituents of the Shiva Linga.
The Anjuman Masjid committee has maintained that the structure found inside the mosque premises is part of the fountain.