Gyanvapi- Expect ASI To Take Appropriate Steps To Arrive At Conclusion On Carbon Dating, Ground Penetrating Radar, Excavation: HC
The Allahabad High Court has expected from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take appropriate steps to arrive at conclusion on carbon dating, ground penetrating radar, excavation and other methods.
The Court noted that further time should not be sought by ASI as the issue on merits has been kept pending since long for obtaining report of the ASI.
The bench of Justice Arvind Kumar Mishra-I made this observation after the Archaeological Survey of India had sought further time for its opinion/report by way of the time extension application regarding the subject matter of the dispute between the parties so as to file complete report in the matter.
Advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain appeared for the revisionists and Advocate Manoj Kumar Singh appeared on behalf of the Archaeological Survey of India.
The counsel for the revisionist opposed the plea and claimed that sufficient time i.e. eight weeks has already been given in the month of January, 2023 and to seek further time would be nothing but to prolong the matter for no sanguine reason.
“Under facts and circumstances of the case, it is expected that the Archaeological Survey of India may take appropriate steps to arrive at some conclusion qua carbon dating, ground penetrating radar, excavation and other methods in compliance of the order passed by this Court.”, the Court noted.
The Court further noted that time extension application has already been given in the garb of obtaining advice from other agencies and that further time should not be sought.
“The time extension application has already been given in the garb of obtaining advice from other agencies. Further time should not be sought by the Archaeological Survey of India as the Archaeological Survey of India may take advice as it thinks appropriate by embarking upon process which would expedite the mater because the issue on merits has been kept pending since long for obtaining report of the Archaeological Survey of India which time extension application is working against interest of justice…”, the Court said.
The Court directed that it should not be allowed to go on any further from April 5, 2023.
The Court also expected that other agencies situate at Roorkee, Kanpur Nagar or somewhere else which have been sought to tender advice would take up the case without causing any unnecessary delay.
Earlier, the Court had granted eight weeks to the Archaeological Survey of India for filing its response to clarify whether the carbon dating of a structure, claimed to be a 'Shivling', in the Gyanvapi mosque complex could damage it or safe evaluation of its age can be done.
Cause Title- Laxmi Devi And 3 Otrs. V.State Of U.P Thru Principal Sec. (Civil Sec.) Lko. Nd 5 Otrs.
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