‘VIP darshan’ at Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar temple: SC rejects appeal challenging MP HC verdict
The Supreme Court rejected an appeal challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s decision upholding VIP darshan at Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar Temple.
Petitioner Darpan Awasthi, a Ujjain resident, argued that allowing VIPs, VVIPs, and influential persons into the Garbhagriha for pooja and rituals discriminates against general devotees, violating Articles 14 (equality) and 25 (religious freedom) of the Constitution. The Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed his PIL on August 28, 2025, deeming it non-maintainable.
On January 27, 2026, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant (with Justices R Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi) dismissed the Special Leave Petition. The court remarked that petitioners in such cases are not “genuine devotees” and courts cannot dictate temple policies, advising Awasthi to approach temple or government authorities instead.
Petitioner claimed the temple’s Administrative Committee, under the 1982 Adhiniyam, lacks authority for VIP privileges since 2023.
Court emphasized judicial restraint in religious matters: “In Mahakal’s presence, nobody is VIP,” but refused intervention.
