The report of a team that conducted a three-day survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex has been submitted to a civil court in Varanasi on Thursday.
Assistant court commissioner Ajay Pratap Singh, who was part of the court-mandated survey panel, told ANI the report was 10-12 pages long. He added “The further process is up to the court. The court will examine it and then give an order.”
Previously, it was expected the report would be submitted on Tuesday, but the survey team had sought more time.
It is expected the findings of the report would guide the court's orders on demands to open or seal off parts of the mosque complex to worshippers.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is also expected to resume hearing of a plea from the mosque management that had opposed the survey. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court had ordered local authorities to protect part of the Gyanvapi complex where a Shivling was allegedly found. The Supreme Court had also ordered that Muslims' access to prayers at the mosque not be impeded.
Hindu petitioners had sought demolition of a wall beneath the Wazu Khana (ablution pond), where the Shivling was allegedly found.
On Thursday, Vishnu Jain, a lawyer representing the Hindu side, said they would seek more time from the civil court. “We've requested our legal time there (Varanasi) to take some adjournment today as the matter is pending before SC and we need to place every document on the records. So, simultaneously 2 proceedings can't go on,” Jain told ANI. He added “As far as the application for demolition of the wall beneath the Wazu Khana is concerned, we will take some time. I hope the Muslim side is also seeking time to file their objections to our application.”
