All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) said that it would challenge the order of the Varanasi court regarding Gyanvapi mosque in the Allahabad High Court.

The Varanasi court has allowed the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi and file a report in the court.

AIMPLB counsel and member Zafaryab Jilani said here on Friday that the Varanasi court had not issued a judgement; it was an order which would be quashed by the High Court.

Jilani said that the Varanasi court's order was in violation of the Places of Worship (Special Provision) Act, 1991. The Act provides for maintenance of the status quo of all religious places as they existed on August 15, 1991.

Jilani said. "I am surprised how could the subordinate court of Varanasi issue such an order as this case is pending in the Allahabad High Court."

Jilani was also the counsel of the UP central sunni waqf board in the Ram Janmabhoomi- Babri Masjid dispute.

UP Sunni Central Waqf Board Chairman Zufar Faruqi said that the status of Gyanvapi Masjid was beyond question and the Varanasi court order violated the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 which was upheld by the Supreme Court on many occasions. He said the Sunni Waqf Board would challenge the order in Allahabad High Court.

"Our understanding is clear that this case is barred by the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The Places of Worship Act was upheld by a 5-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court in the Ayodhya judgment. The status of Gyanvapi Masjid is, as such, beyond question," Faruqi said.