Heavy police troops surrounded Varanasi's Gyanvapi Masjid on Saturday, a day after the Supreme Court's decision, as the controversial video inspection of the disputed complex resumed. Because of the intricacy of the situation, photos posted by the news agency show a large police presence outside the Gyanvapi compound amid fears of communal friction or disharmony. The shops within a 500-meter radius have all closed.
The Supreme Court approved the postponed videography study of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex on Friday, and the mosque management committee has indicated that it will cooperate with the team assigned the work by a local court for the time being.
The Supreme Court refused to grant an interim order of status quo on the survey in its decision. However, the Supreme Court decided to hear a Muslim party's appeal against the survey.
"On Friday, all of the parties involved met for an important meeting. Varanasi district magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma told PTI that they were urged to comply with the commission's work and maintain peace and order.
Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar of the District Civil Court (Senior Division) denied the mosque committee's request to replace Ajay Kumar Mishra, who was appointed lawyer commissioner to survey the Gyanvapi-Gauri Shringar complex by him.
The commissioner will be assisted by two more advocates, according to the judge, who expects the survey to be completed by Tuesday.
Sayyad Mohammed Yaseen, joint secretary of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, said the committee will consider appealing the local court's decision to the high court after the Supreme Court rules.