Gyanvapi Masjid survey in UP resumes after court order amid tight vigil

Varanasi: The videography survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex in Varanasi resumed on Saturday amid tight security arrangements, officials said.

According to the latest reports, all the three underground cellars have been surveyed. A total of 52 people including survey team members from both sides, petitioners, respondents, and officers from the administration have entered the site. The survey will resume on Sunday.

As per RS Gautam, deputy commissioner of police, Kashi Zone, a robust arrangement was made to ensure that the people don't face any inconvenience and the darshan takes place well.

The mosque management committee had also indicated that it will cooperate for now with the team assigned the task by a local court.

The mosque is located close to the iconic Kashi Vishwanath temple and the local court is hearing a plea by a group of women seeking permission for daily prayers before the idols on its outer walls.

An important meeting was held with all parties concerned on Friday and an appeal was made to them to cooperate in the commission's work and the maintenance of law and order.

In his order on Thursday, District Civil Court (Senior Division) judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar had turned down a plea by the mosque committee to replace Ajay Kumar Mishra, who was appointed advocate commissioner by him to survey the Gyanvapi-Gauri Shringar complex.

The judge also appointed two more advocates to help the commissioner with the survey and said it should be completed by Tuesday.

Lawyers representing the Hindu and Muslim sides were present at the meeting held on Friday by the district magistrate.

Also on Friday, the Supreme Court refused to grant an interim order of status quo on the survey. The top court, however, agreed to consider listing the plea of a Muslim party against the survey.