SC Dismisses Plea Challenging Practice of VIP Darshan at Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday (January 27) dismissed an appeal that challenged a Madhya Pradesh high court verdict which had earlier upheld the practice of 'VIP darshan' at the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.

A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant along with Justices R. Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing the appeal filed by Darpan Awasthi. The plea called for equal opportunity for darshan to all the devotees in Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) at Shri Mahakaleshwar temple Ujjain without discriminating between general and VIP devotees, reported New Indian Express.

"People who file such petitions are not genuine devotees and Courts are not supposed to decide guidelines or polices with respect to such subjects," said the bench.

Visnu Jain, who appeared for the petitioner, argued that there is a need for a uniform policy on who is allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum.

"There is a violation of Article 14. Whether a person who should be allowed inside the garbhgriha, there should be a uniform policy of equal treatment," Jain said in his submission to the court.

However, the court dismissed the plea while granting permission to the petitioner to file a representation before the government authorities.

"Let those who are at the helm of affairs take a decision, not the Courts. If Courts start regulating who should be allowed to enter or who should not be, it's too much for the Courts," said CJI Kant.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.