ASI submits about 2000-page report on Dhar’s Bhojshala complex issue before MP High Court; hearing scheduled for July 22

INDORE(Madhya Pradesh): The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) submitted its final survey report of around 2000 pages on the disputed Dhar’s Bhojshala complex issue before the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday.

The next hearing into the matter is scheduled for July 22.

“The High Court had ordered ASI to submit the survey report on or before July 15, so we have submitted the report before the court today. The court has asked us not to divulge the findings of the report in public.The survey report is of around 2000 pages and the next hearing into the matter is scheduled for July 22,” ASI’s counsel, Himanshu Joshi told ANI.

For Hindus, the Bhojshala Complex is a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while for Muslims, it is the site of the Kamal Maula mosque. According to an arrangement made in 2003, Hindus perform puja at the complex on Tuesdays from sunrise to sunset while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays from 1 pm to 3 pm.

#WATCH | Indore, Madhya Pradesh: ASI submits survey report of Bhojshala complex before Madhya Pradesh High Court, Himanshu Joshi, ASI’s counsel, says, “We have submitted the report before the court today. The court has asked us not to divulge the findings of the report in… pic.twitter.com/MCi9yAftBb

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 15, 2024

ASI began the survey at Bhojshala/Kamal Maula Mosque complex situated in the tribal-dominated Dhar district on March 22, following the order of the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

In the order dated March 11, the High Court had directed the ASI to constitute an expert committee that will “complete scientific investigation, survey and excavation, through the adoption of the latest methods and techniques” and submit the report within six weeks.

During the hearing into the matter on April 29, the ASI sought more time for the survey. The court further granted ASI eight weeks’ time from April 29 for the survey.

The court also made clear that no further extension of time should be granted to comply with the order dated March 11.

Earlier, the court had directed the ASI team to submit the exhaustive report on or before July 2, 2024. But, during the next hearing into the matter on July 4, the ASI sought further time of four weeks to submit the report and the court had ordered them to submit the report until July 15. (ANI)