New Delhi: The Allahabad High Court (HC) has slammed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Director General (DG), V. Vidyavathi for her failure to file a reply, giving an opinion as as to whether a secure analysis of the age of the Shivling-like construction, purportedly discovered contained in the Gyanvapi mosque complicated in Varanasi in May final 12 months, could be finished or not.
Justice Arvind Kumar Mishra was listening to a revision petition filed by Laxmi Devi and three others, who challenged the Varanasi courtroom`s order of October 14, 2022. They had sought an HC route from the ASI to conduct a scientific probe of the Shivling-like construction via carbon courting and floor penetrating radar (GPR).
Justice Mishra referred to as the ASI official`s perspective “lethargic” and mentioned inaction had hampered the courtroom proceedings. However, the courtroom gave the ASI DG a final alternative to file a counter-affidavit within the case by April 17, the subsequent date of listening to.
The HC noticed, “Certainly, this passive attitude on the part of the Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, is highly deplorable and such practice must be deprecated. The desired report has not been submitted as directed since November 2022.”
“A high authority holding post of Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, controlling particular administration all over the country must know the seriousness of the matter and ought to respect the orders of the court, primarily of higher courts,” the bench added.
The HC clarified that it will not allow any authority to event delay on the pretext of the submission of the specified report of the ASI. Earlier, listening to the matter on November 5, the HC had issued a discover to the ASI, primarily asking the ASI DG, to present her opinion by November 21, 2022.
In its October 14 order, the Varanasi courtroom had rejected Hindu worshippers` plea for conducting a scientific probe of the Shivling-like construction, reportedly discovered contained in the Gyanvapi mosque complicated on May 16, 2022.
The Hindu facet has been calling the construction a Shivling, whereas the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which manages the Gyanvapi mosque, has been terming it a fountain.
