Hyderabad, Sept. 9 -- The Allahabad High Court stayed a Varanasi civil court's order directing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a comprehensive physical survey of the Gyanvapi mosque compound.

The Varanasi court on April 8 had ordered a five-member committee to oversee a "comprehensive physical survey" of the centuries-old Gyanvapi mosque complex adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in U.P. The committee included two members of the Hindu community, two Muslims, and an archaeological expert.

The order was issued following a plea demanding the restoration of the land on which the Gyanvapi Mosque stands to Hindus. The complainants, on behalf of the ancient idol of Swayambhu Lord Vishweshwar, claimed that the Mughal ru...