Gyanvapi mosque row: Survey reaches 65% completion, exercise to continue on Monday'

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

A court-mandated videography survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex in Varanasi was carried out peacefully for the second consecutive day on May 15, with the major part of the exercise said to have been completed.

The survey, which was stalled last week amid objections by the mosque management committee, which claimed that the advocate commissioner appointed by the court for the survey did not have the mandate to film inside the premises, will continue on May 16.

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.

The survey was carried out from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. amid tight security.

Elaborating further on the survey and day’s development, Varanasi’s district magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma told PTI, “In the presence of three court commissioners along with all the parties, the court commission started its work at 8 a.m., and it continued till noon. All the parties followed the court orders. The court commission, after completing today’s work, decided that work will continue on May 15 as well.”

The district magistrate added that the work will begin at 8 a.m on May 16 and all the parties have been directed to remain present.

Mr. Sharma said that as per the directions of the court commission, adequate facilities, including resources to provide light, videographers and photographers of the information department, draftsman, revenue staff of the tehsil and labour were provided.