Ahead of the ASI survey, elaborate security arrangements have been made near the Gyanvapi mosque complex. The police department have closed roads leading to the mosque for vehicular movement along with putting up multiple barricades in the area.

The media was stopped at least 100m away from the area, amidst heavy police deployment.

The ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque is expected to begin shortly. The Muslim side has boycotted the survey as the Supreme Court on Friday is set to hear its plea against the survey ordered by the Allahabad High Court.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee on Thursday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Allahabad High Court order allowing ASI to conduct a scientific survey by ASI of the Gyanvapi mosque premises.

An advocate of the Masjid Committee will present the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud seeking an urgent hearing and asking the court not to allow ASI to carry out the survey.

After the judgement by the High Court, a Caveat application was filed in the Supreme Court by one of the Hindu petitioners in the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi mosque case seeking to be heard before passing any order in case the Muslim side files a plea against the Allahabad High Court allowing the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the mosque premises.

A Caveat application is filed by a litigant to ensure that no adverse order is passed against him or her without being heard.

(With inputs from agencies)