The Supreme Court rejected a petition challenging the practice of ‘VIP darshan’ and selective entry into the innermost sanctum of the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. The Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, stated that this matter was not suitable for judicial interference. The petitioner’s counsel decided to withdraw the plea, allowing for representation before the relevant authorities.
The petition contested the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s decision dismissing a PIL against VIPs receiving preferential treatment to access the sanctum while denying entry to the general public. The High Court justified this practice by stating that VIPs could enter with permission from the Collector and Management Committee of the temple. It emphasized that defining who qualifies as a VIP is at the discretion of the competent authority.
The MP High Court ruled that the petitioner seemed to be a personal aggrieved party and deemed the PIL not maintainable. The Supreme Court echoed this sentiment, cautioning against courts regulating entry rights, as it could lead to excessive interference. The Court highlighted that applying Article 14 in this context might trigger claims under other fundamental rights as well.
