The Supreme Court on July 24 ordered the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to maintain status quo till 5 p.m. on July 26, giving the Gyanvapi mosque management “breathing time” to approach the Allahabad High Court against a July 21 order of the Varanasi District Court to conduct a scientific survey of the mosque premises located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud asked the Allahabad High Court registry to place the appeal, if filed by the mosque management, for hearing before an appropriate Bench before the top court’s stay order expired on July 26 evening.
The court took note of the urgent oral mentioning of the mosque management, represented by senior advocate Huzeifa Ahmadi, that the District Court had ordered the “scientific survey” at 4.30 p.m. on July 21.
