The Supreme Court will hear a petition today (Monday, February 5) seeking a scientific survey of the ‘wazukhana’ and surrounding enclosed areas of the disputed Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

The wazukhana – a baptismal font where worshipers bathe before praying at the mosque – was sealed in 2022 following a Supreme Court order. The Hindu side claims that the fountain-like structure at Vazukana is the ‘Shivling’.

“Director, Archaeological Survey of India, is directed to conduct necessary survey/investigation of the Shivlingam to ascertain the nature and associated features of the Shivlingam without causing any damage to the Shivlingam located within the sealed area,” the complaint said, adding that the ASI should carry out the excavation and other scientific methods to investigate the entire enclosed area and submit a report to the court.

The request also requires the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct another survey of 10 cellars within the complex.

Last Wednesday, the Allahabad High Court issued notice to the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which manages the Gyanvapi Masjid, challenging the Varanasi court’s refusal to direct the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey of the ‘wazukhana’. Area within the mosque complex.

The order was passed by Justice Rohit Ranjan Agrawal on a revision petition filed by Rakhi Singh, one of the plaintiffs in the Shringar Gauri cult suit, which is currently pending before the Varanasi district court.

In her application before the Varanasi court, Singh’s main argument was that investigation of the ‘wazukhana’ (excluding the part where the ‘Shivling’ was allegedly found) was necessary to establish the religious nature of the property in question.

The district court dismissed Singh’s application on October 21, 2023. The bench noted that in its order passed on May 17, 2022, the Supreme Court directed to protect the area where the ‘Shivling’ was allegedly found and, therefore, directing the ASI to conduct a survey in the area would not be appropriate.

At the High Court, Justice Manish Nigam earlier withdrew from hearing the case. It was placed before Justice Rohit Ranjan Agrawal on Wednesday following the nomination of the Chief Justice. The Varanasi district court had on July 21 last year directed the ASI to conduct a “detailed scientific investigation” – including excavation if necessary – to determine whether the mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple was built on the ruins of a temple.

(with PTI input)