The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday allowed a survey by the Archaeological Survey (ASI) at the Bhojshala Temple, in the adjoining Dhar district.

The Hindu side had moved the court, seeking a survey to determine the true character of the place which Muslims claim as a ‘mosque’.

“My request for ASI survey of bhojshala/dhar in madhya pradesh is allowed by indore high court. Maa vag devi ki jai,” Hindu side lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain said in a post on X.

“Complete scientific investigation, survey, and excavation, through the adoption of latest methods, techniques, and modes of GPR-GPS survey of the site in question constituting the disputed Bhojshala Temple cum Kamal Maula Mosque complex, as also the entire 50m of peripheral ring area surrounding/constituting the circular periphery from the boundary of the complex be conducted,” the court said in its order shared by advocate Vishnu Shankar.

The court ordered that a detailed scientific investigation should be conducted by carbon dating method to ascertain the age of the structures in the complex, both above the ground and underground. The court further said that the survey proceedings should be photographed and videographed in the presence of two representatives nominated by each side.

The temple is protected by the ASI, which allows Hindus to pray on the site on Tuesdays and the day of Basant Panchami, and Muslims are allowed to offer namaz on Fridays.