HC pulls up ASI DG for 'lethargic attitude' in Gyanvapi mosque case

PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad high court on Wednesday rapped ASI director general (DG) V Vidyavathi for failing to file a report regarding carbon-dating of the purported Shivling found inside the Gyanvapi mosque complex despite being given several chances, reports Rajesh Kumar Pandey.
However, "as a measure of last opportunity", the court allowed the DG ASI further time to submit the desired report on or before April 17, but made it clear that no more time would be granted in future.
While fixing April 17 as the next date, Justice Mishra said: "A high authority holding the post of director general, ASI, controlling particular administration all over the country must know the seriousness of the matter and ought to respect the orders of the court." He added: "Though the director general, ASI, does not deserve any further time, it would be in the fitness of things before proceeding straightway with consideration of the merit of this revision to give the last chance to submit a report. Things cannot be kept pending for long when the matter has elements of high publicity all over the country. This court will not permit any authority to occasion delay on the pretext of submission of the desired report of the ASI."