The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was given an extension of 10 days by the Varanasi district court to submit its scientific survey report about the Gyanvapi mosque complex.
Although the ASI was initially given until November 17 to submit the report, it asked the court for an additional 15 days. Amit Srivastava, the government's standing lawyer, stated that the court ordered ASI to turn in the report by November 28 after hearing the plea.
In its application, the ASI had stated that in compliance with the court’s order, it had completed the scientific survey at the site and needed some more time for preparing a detailed report. Earlier, on July 21, the court had ordered for a survey to ascertain whether Gyanvapi mosque was built on the remains of a temple.
The district judge had ordered an ASI survey on the plea of four women plaintiffs. In compliance with the order, the ASI started the scientific study of Gyanvapi mosque on July 24.
The mosque management committee, or Anjuman Intezamia Masajid (AIM), did, however, submit a revision appeal to the Allahabad High Court. The HC stopped the ASI poll on July 24 but rejected AIM's objection to the district judge's ruling on August 3. On August 4, the ASI started the survey again after the AIM moved the SC, which rejected a reprieve.
The deadline for the survey has been extended three times by the ASI: on August 5, September 8, and October 5. The ASI requested and was allowed a 15-day period to to submit its report on November 2, following the completion of its examination at Gyanvapi mosque.