A district court in Varanasi on Saturday rejected a plea that sought a direction to the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to undertake a survey of the wazukhana (ablution pond) area, except for the ‘Shivling’ inside, within the Gyanvapi mosque without causing any damage to the structure.
District court judge Ajaya Krishna Vishvesha maintained that the survey of the wazukhana may amount to a violation of Supreme Court’s May 17, 2022 order.
On May 16, 2022, a the Varanasi court had ordered to seal the place where the ‘Shivling’ was purportedly found. On May 17, the top court had directed the District Magistrate of Varanasi to ensure that the ‘Shivling’ within the mosque was to be protected.
