The Supreme Court on Monday stayed a Kerala High Court direction to dispense with separate enclsoure for VIPs for 'darshan' at the Sabarimala Temple run by Travancore Devasom Board (TDB).
The interim order came from a bench of Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice Markandey Katju on a petition filed by one N Ravikumar challenging the December 19, 2005 order of the High Court.
The High Court had asked the Sabarimala executive officer to ensure that "unnecessary blocking" of darshan did not take place due to VIP devotees standing in a special enclosure.
However, after Monday's interim order by the Supreme Court, VIPs can have darshan from special enclosure.
The High Court order had come after Sabarimala Special Commissioner brought to the court's notice the hardships caused to the Ayyappa pilgrims to have darshan when they reach in front of the 'Sri Kovil (Sanctum Sanctorum) after their prolonged wait in the queue.
People standing in regular queue were unable to have proper darshan due to the VIPs inside the special enclosure in front of the 'Sri Kovil', the Commissioner had said in the report.
{{/usCountry}}People standing in regular queue were unable to have proper darshan due to the VIPs inside the special enclosure in front of the 'Sri Kovil', the Commissioner had said in the report.
{{/usCountry}}TDB had informed the High Court that special queue darshan will be stopped. Even though there was an earlier direction, it was not being followed, High Court had been informed.