Can scientific study damage Gyanvapi ‘shivling’: HC to ASI

Prayagraj: The Allahabad high court on Friday asked the director general of Archaeological Survey of India to clarify if the carbon dating and similar scientific investigation of the purported 'shivling' found in the wuzu pond of the Gyanvapi complex during a recent court-mandated survey can cause damage to the structure in any way.
The HC has asked the ASI to respond to this specific question in an order that was issued on Friday while hearing a petition challenging the Varanasi district judge's recent order that rejected carbon dating and scientific investigation of the ‘shivling’.
The bench of Justice JJ Munir sought the response of the ASI while admitting a petition challenging the Varanasi court's order that rejected the demand for carbon dating and scientific investigation of the purported ‘shivling’ found during a court-mandated survey of Gyanvapi premises on May 16.