Gyanvapi row | ASI team starts work on scientific survey of mosque complex in U.P.'s Varanasi

ASI begins survey of Gyanvapi premises in Varanasi to determine if 17th-century mosque was built over pre-existing Hindu temple. Representatives of Hindu petitioners present under security. Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee boycotts survey. Allahabad High Court upholds district court order, ruling it necessary for justice. Mosque stands next to Kashi Vishwanath temple.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) began working on a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi premises here on Friday to determine whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.

The survey began at around 7 a.m., ASI sources said. The ASI team members, along with the representatives of the Hindu petitioners to a legal dispute involving the mosque, were present inside the complex under watertight security arrangements.

Explained | Gyanvapi and the Places of Worship Act 

The members of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee have boycotted the survey. The representatives of the committee who were to accompany the ASI team for the survey abstained from doing so.

The survey began after the Allahabad High Court on Thursday upheld a Varanasi district court order and ruled that the proposed step is "necessary in the interest of justice" and will benefit both sides.

The order came after the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid committee, representing the Muslim side to the legal dispute, moved the Supreme Court against the Varansi district court order.

The mosque stands next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.