ASI Submits Monument Survey Report Amid Religious Dispute

The Archaeological Survey of India has presented a 2,000-page report on the contentious Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex to the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The survey followed a court directive prompted by a Hindu group's petition. The HC will review the report on July 22.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Monday submitted a comprehensive scientific survey report concerning the controversial Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex to the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

ASI's counsel, Himanshu Joshi, provided the extensive report, which spans over 2,000 pages, to the court’s registry.

'I have submitted the report. The High Court will address the case on July 22,' Joshi informed PTI over the phone.

The High Court had mandated the ASI to perform a scientific survey of the complex in the Dhar district on March 11, following an application by 'Hindu Front for Justice,' granting the agency six weeks to complete the task.

The ASI initiated the survey on March 22 and requested two extensions from the court to finish it.

Initially, the High Court extended the deadline by eight weeks on April 29 and required the report by July 2. However, the ASI sought another extension, leading the court to instruct that the complete survey report be submitted by July 15.

The Bojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex, dating back to the 11th century, is subject to a religious dispute between Hindus, who regard it as a Vagdevi temple, and Muslims, who refer to it as Kamal Maula mosque.