VARANASI: Granting extension for a sixth time, Varanasi district judge Ajay Krishna Vishvesha on Thursday gave time of 10 days to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to finalize the Gyanvapi mosque survey report and submit before the court by December 11.
The court asked the ASI to positively file the report in given time and not to seek further time.

Standing government counsel (Government of India) Amit Srivastava said that against the ASI’s application to seek three weeks more to complete the report on scientific study and survey of Gyanvapi mosque to ascertain whether it stands atop a Hindu temple, the court of district judge granted 10 days to finalize this process and submit the report by December 11.

In his order the district judge mentioned, “After taking into consideration the facts mentioned in the application and circumstances of the case, I find it proper to grant 10 days more time to ASI to file the report in the court. This court expects that within the provided time the ASI shall positively file the report and will not see further time.”
With these strict remarks the district judge fixed December 11 for hearing and disposal of survey report.
On July 21, the district judge court had ordered an ASI survey on the plea of four women plaintiffs in suit no. 18/2022.
In compliance with this order ASI had started scientific study of Gyanvapi mosque on July 24.
However, AIM filed a revision before the Allahabad high court.
On the order of the HC, ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque was halted on July 24 afternoon.
The HC dismissed the objection of AIM against district judge court order on August 3.
After it AIM took shelter in the Supreme Court against HC order.
The apex court refused to stop the ASI survey of Gyanvapi after which ASI resumed the survey from August 4.
As ASI’s survey could not be completed by August 4 it sought extension thrice on August 5, September 8 and October 5.
After the end of study and survey in the field at Gyanvapi mosque, the ASI on November 2 and 17 had moved pleas for another extension before it sought another extension of three weeks on November 28 to finalise the report by mentioning technical reasons consuming time delaying the process.
Defendants in cases like Anjuman Intejamia Masajid (Gyanvapi mosque management committee) had raised serious objections over seeking more time repeatedly for completing the survey and its report by ASI when hearing on this plea took place in the court on Wednesday.