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Lucknow: The Special Bench of Allahabad High Court hearing Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suits on August 8 allowed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team to visit the excavated site at Ayodhya upto August 22.

The Division Bench comprising Justice S R Alam, Justice Bhanwar Singh and Justice Khem Karan, however, said in its order that no one except the ASI team, two observers, chief engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), counsels for the contesting parties, shall be permitted to enter the site without prior permission of the court.

The court also directed that the trenches be kept intact as they existed on date so as to facilitate the ASI team to study the excavation site and submit their final report.

The ASI had sought the court's permission to enter the excavation site between August 8 and 22 for finalising the report and drawings.

The Bench directed that precaution be taken to protect the trenches from any damage or alteration. The archaeological finds and other materials found during the excavation should be so preserved that the same might be made available whenever needed by orders of the court, the Bench said.

The court also directed the authorised person to ensure that the right of "darshan" of the devotees was in no way interfered with.

It directed the ASI team to prepare 15 copies with drawings and maps in original showing colours.

The court also directed the team not to divulge content of its report to anyone even on the terms of anonymity.

The next sitting of the Bench will be from August 25.

PTI