ASI requests court to defer proceedings on disclosure of Gyanvapi report to avoid spread of rumours

Madan Mohan Yadav, the counsel of one of the plaintiffs of the Hindu side, said that after hearing the arguments of all the sides, District Judge Dr Ajay Krishna Vishvesha reserved his order which is likely to be pronounced on Thursday.

He said that the counsels of the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee also moved an application praying for a permit to clean the wazookhana inside the complex.

The ASI in its application stated that the court had in July last year directed the agency to survey the premises per the direction contained in the judgment itself.

It said, "In compliance with the aforesaid order, the ASI conducted scientific investigation and survey work and prepared the detailed report and submitted it to the court on December 18, 2023 in a sealed cover."

The application stated that the ASI was also directed by the High Court to submit the report on the scientific investigation and survey work in the Civil Court, Senior Division, Fast Track Court, Varanasi.

The ASI said that in compliance with the order of the High Court, the survey report submitted earlier by the agency in the sealed cover is of vital importance.

"If the survey report is unsealed and disclosed in public before the submission of the copy of the said survey report in the original suit number 610 of 1991 in the suit of Ancient Idol of Swayambhu Lord Vishweshwar versus Anjuman Intezamia Masjid and others in the Court of Civil Judge, Senior Division, Fast Track Court, Varanasi in compliance of the order of High Court, there is the more chance of spread rumor and misrepresentation in public, which may affect the work of ASI," it stated.

The agency pleaded that in compliance with the order of the High Court, the  ASI is working on the submission of a copy of the survey report which may take some more time to prepare.

It stated, "That in above mention circumstance it is necessary that the court may differ or adjourned the proceedings related to the opening and disclosure of the said survey report submitted in the above-mentioned suit number 18 of 2022 for four weeks for the proper submission of the copy of the survey report in the original suit number 610 of 1991 in compliance of the order of the High Court without any disturbance."

The ASI has prayed, "It is therefore respectfully prayed that for the interest of justice the court may please defer the proceeding about the opening and disclosure of the sealed survey report submitted by ASI for four weeks, so that the agency complies with the order of the High Court."