Supreme Court Rejects Plea on ‘VIP Dharshan’ at Mahakaleshwar Temple
- The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging the "VIP darshan" practise at the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, stating the matter is...
- The petition, filed by Darpan Awasthi, contested a previous ruling by the Madhya Pradesh high Court that upheld the preferential treatment given to VIPs allowing them access to...
- Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the petitioner, argued that the VIP access violated Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law.
Supreme Court Declines to Hear Challenge to VIP Access at Mahakaleshwar Temple
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The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging the “VIP darshan” practise at the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, stating the matter is not within the courtS purview.
Petition Details and Court Response
The petition, filed by Darpan Awasthi, contested a previous ruling by the Madhya Pradesh high Court that upheld the preferential treatment given to VIPs allowing them access to the garbhagriha (innermost sanctum) to offer prayers, while restricting access for the general public. A bench consisting of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice R Mahadevan, and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard the case.
Article 14 and Equal Treatment
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the petitioner, argued that the VIP access violated Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law. He asserted the need for a uniform policy regarding access to the garbhagriha, stating that citizens should not be discriminated against based on their VIP status. “Whether a person who should be allowed inside the garbhgriha, there should be a uniform policy of equal treatment,” Jain submitted.
outcome of the Case
Following the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the petition, the petitioner withdrew the case with the option to submit a representation to the relevant authorities. The Madhya Pradesh High Court had previously dismissed Awasthi’s petition on November 28, 2023, as reported by LiveLaw (https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/madhya-pradesh-high-court/madhya-pradesh-high-court-pil-vip-mahakaleshwar-temple-302633).