The Varanasi Court on Friday allowed an ASI survey to be conducted inside the disputed Gyanvapi structure, excluding the Wazu tank, which has been sealed.

A petition was filed by the Hindu side seeking direction for a scientific survey of the entire Gyanvapi premises by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

“I have been informed that my application has been approved and the court has directed to conduct an ASI survey of the Gyanvapi complex, excluding the Wazu tank, which has been sealed,” Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, said.

The petition was filed in May this year by five Hindu women who, in another plea, had earlier sought permission to pray at the Shringar Gauri Sthal inside the disputed structure.

Earlier, a Shivling was found inside the disputed structure during a court-ordered videographic survey in May 2022.

On May 12 this year, the Allahabad High Court had ordered a scientific survey of the Shivling, found inside the disputed Gyanvapi structure, by the ASI. However, the Supreme Court on May 19 put the scientific survey, including carbon dating, of the Shivling on hold.