Varanasi, Jan. 25 -- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in its report has stated that a "temple was razed down in the 17th century" and the western wall of the Gyanvapi mosque is that of a temple, said advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side.

The ASI survey was ordered by the district court after the Hindu petitioners claimed the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing temple.

Talking to ANI on Thursday, Jain said, "ASI has done a lot of detailed scientific study in its report. According to the report, an inscription was found in the so-called mosque. The pillars that are found are from a Hindu temple. The ASI said that the western wall is that of a Hindu temple. Scriptures in different languages ...