VARANASI: The Varanasi district judge granted the Archaeological Survey of India on Monday an additional week to submit the scientific study and survey report of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, setting the new deadline for December 18. This marks the seventh extension provided by the court to ASI for the survey, aimed at determining whether the 17th-century mosque was built atop an existing structure.

ASI sought the extension through an application citing the poor health of its superintending archaeologist Avinash Mohanty, who was unable to appear before the court. Government counsel Amit Srivastava confirmed district judge Ajay Krishna Vishvesha’s decision.
On November 30, the court had granted 10 additional days to ASI, emphasising that it should refrain from seeking further extensions. In the judge’s order, it was explicitly stated: “This court expects that within the provided time ASI shall positively file the report and will not seek further time.” The hearing and disposal of the survey report was scheduled for December 11.

The court ordered the survey on July 21 and ASI began the exercise on July 24. Despite subsequent legal challenges, the survey ended on November 2.