NEWS

No proof of structure in Ayodhya: ASI report

By Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow
June 10, 2003 23:37 IST

The Archaeological Survey of India has submitted a report to the Allahabad high court stating there was no evidence of any structure at the disputed site in Ayodhya with 'remote similarity' to a temple.

The report was submitted on Monday.

The report virtually contradicts Vishwa Hindu Parishad's much-touted claims about the discovery of remains of an ancient temple underneath the debris of the 16th century Babri Mosque that was demolished on December 6, 1992.

Reacting to the ASI report Sunni Central Waqf Board counsel Zafaryab Jilani told rediff.com: "I fail to understand how some Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders drew their own conclusions claiming sufficient evidence about the existence of an ancient temple, when the ASI report does not speak about any such evidence."

The report also contradicts the Ground Penetration Radar survey carried out by Tojo India Vikas International Pvt Ltd last winter.

In its report submitted in January, the company had indicated the possibility of the existence of a structure at certain locations in and around the disputed site.

The ASI will submit its final report on June 15, the deadline set by the high court for the completion of excavations.

Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow

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