High Court Leaves Temple VIP Entry Unchallenged

The Supreme Court has declined to hear a petition against the 'VIP darshan' practice at the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple, highlighting that the regulation of religious rituals is not a justiciable issue. Instead, the court encouraged petitioners to address their concerns with temple authorities.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging the special treatment of VIPs at the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The petition sought to halt preferential access to the sanctum sanctorum, arguing that it violated the principle of equality.

Lord Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices R Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi, adjudicated the matter, underlining that judicial intervention in the management of religious sites is limited. They advised lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain to take the issue to temple authorities.

The case ascended to the Supreme Court after the Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed objections to VIP practices, ruling them as administrative decisions rather than violations of law. The decision underscores the judicial stance that such matters are beyond the court's purview.

(With inputs from agencies.)