ASI likely to use Ground Penetrating Radars in survey of Gyanvapi mosque which enters 3rd day today

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team is likely to carry out Ground Penetrating Radar imaging (GPR) in its scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi which entered its third day today.

The ASI team conducted a 3-D mapping of the mosque compound and the main area where namaz is offered on Saturday. The team also studied the western wall of the mosque which is believed to contain the remains of a temple, according to a Times of India report.

A cellar in the mosque under the possession of the Vyas family was also inspected, the report said.

Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, an advocate representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi case, said, ” The primary stage of the survey finished on Saturday and in the secondary stage today, machines such as ground penetrating radars will be used, ” news agency ANI reported.

Sudhir Tripathi, another advocate representing the Hindu side said, “Today is the third day of the survey. Several machines, including a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), were used yesterday and there is a possibility that radars might be used today. We are satisfied with the survey and the Muslim side has no complaints and they are also cooperating.”

The district administration has allowed seven people from the Hindu side and 9 representatives of the mosque management committee to stay inside the mosque premises while the survey is being carried out by the ASI team.  There is also heavy police deployment in the area.

Meanwhile, the district court has allowed the ASI team four weeks to conduct its scientific survey  and submit a report on September 2.

The scientific survey of the mosque complex , which is adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, began on Friday, following the Allahabad High Court’s order, which allowed the ASI to conduct the survey, to determine if the mosque was built on a pre-existing temple.