VARANASI: Lawyers representing Hindu litigants have indicated that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) may request more time from the court to complete the Gyanvapi survey report, according to a recent report.

ASI had been granted a four-week period by a Varanasi court to finalize its survey within the mosque complex. This allotted time has now expired on September 2.

Sudhir Tripathi, an advocate representing the Hindu side, expressed doubts about the completion of the survey, stating, "We believe that the survey has not been concluded yet." He added, "ASI may provide a preliminary report, but they should refrain from submitting the final report as the survey remains incomplete. The court is scheduled to discuss the matter after lunch, and there is a possibility that ASI will request an extension of time."

Shubhash Nandan Chaturvedi, another lawyer representing Hindu litigants, pointed out that the four-week deadline set by the Varanasi district court for ASI's survey ends on Saturday. He stated, "We have reservations regarding the completion of the survey, and it's likely that ASI will seek an extension of the deadline."

The scientific survey of the complex, located adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, commenced on August 4, following the order from the Allahabad High Court. The court allowed ASI to conduct the survey to determine whether the 17th-century mosque was built over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who also represents the Hindu side, emphasized that an out-of-court settlement in the Gyanvapi Mosque issue is not legally viable. This statement followed Jitendra Singh Bisen, the international president of the Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh, proposing an out-of-court settlement in the Gyanvapi case to Anjuman Intejamia.

Jain explained, "In matters concerning the country and society, especially when a representative suit is filed involving the entire society, even if one party wishes to settle outside of court, it is not permissible. Therefore, this initiative for an out-of-court settlement is legally unfeasible."

On August 3, the Allahabad High Court dismissed the plea by the Muslim side, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which challenged the Varanasi court's decision to allow ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises.

In the previous month, the Supreme Court declined to halt the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from conducting its "scientific investigation" of the Gyanvapi premises in Varanasi.

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