LUCKNOW: Varanasi district court has permitted to carry out a scientific survey of Gyanvapi mosque premises. The court allowed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey in the area except for the area where the Shiva linga is claimed to have been found. The court has asked the ASI to submit the report by August 4.

Currently, the area where the fountain is standing has been closed and sealed as per the Supreme Court directive. This place has been excluded from the survey because of the instructions of the Supreme Court. Four women approached the court asking for a survey to be conducted to find out whether the temple or the mosque was built here first. The court has permitted to conduct the survey from 8 am to 12 pm. The court directed that no damage should be caused to the mosque and prayers should not be interrupted during this time. Gyanvapi mosque is located adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.