Gyanvapi survey report only for court’s eyes, media gagged | India News – Times of India
Judge Vishvesha, addressing an application by the Gyanvapi mosque management committee, Anjuman Intezamia Masajid (AIM), also declared that ASI officials, along with plaintiffs, defendants, and their respective legal representatives, are not authorised to share or comment on any information regarding the survey, underscoring the sensitivity of the court-mandated exercise.
The judge directed that ASI officials should exclusively present their report to the court, refraining from divulging any details to print, electronic, or social media. The court order, delivered after being reserved the day before, emphasised that sharing information on the ASI survey is “neither relevant nor legal”.
“If print, social and electronic media wrongly run news about the survey without any formal information being given by the ASI, plaintiffs or defendants, necessary action as per law could be taken against them,” the judge said.
The court also extended its order to include the district government counsel (civil) and other officials, prohibiting them from sharing information about the ASI survey with the media. This measure aims to ensure that the survey’s report is presented solely before the court.
The Archaeological Survey of India initiated a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque after receiving permission from the district judge on July 21. This decision came in response to an application filed by four women plaintiffs seeking puja of Shringar Gauri and other deities in the mosque compound.
