Varanasi: In the case of knowledge retrieval, the court has granted the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) an additional 10 days to submit the study report. District Judge Ajay Krishna Vishwesh, while issuing a warning, emphasized the urgency of submitting the report in any case. Originally, the ASI had requested 21 days to submit the report, but the court, after the hearing, has allotted only 10 days.
The survey by the ASI in the knowledge-sensitive area began on July 24, and the court had halted proceedings. To present the scientific actions taken during the ASI’s survey from August 4 to November 2, the government counsel for ASI had sought an additional three weeks. Opposition from the Advocacy Committee for Intezamiya Mosques was raised against the delay in submitting the report.
The district judge, instructing the ASI to submit the report within 10 days, sought clarification from the governing council on why there was a delay. The court has issued orders to hold proceedings securely until the report is submitted.
On Tuesday, the ASI requested extra time for the third time to file the survey report of the knowledge-sensitive area in court. In response, the district judge’s court held a hearing on Wednesday. Expressing displeasure, the court questioned the motive behind repeatedly extending the time. The governing council should converse with officials again and clarify the entire situation. Despite the evidence presented in the application, the governing council defended itself, citing the collection of crucial evidence by archaeologists, archivists, chemists, surveyors, geophysicists, etc. The report is being prepared, and data is being compiled. The survey report using GPS technology is taking time, and ASI experts are consistently working on it.
Previously, the Mosque Committee had expressed dissatisfaction with the repeated extensions and demanded the rejection of this application. The court may issue orders in this case on Thursday.
Check here for the latest updates in Hindi!