The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court today ordered impleading 199 temples, collecting special 'darshan' fees, in a PIL seeking to do away with such practice.
The direction was issued by Justice N.Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice P.Devadoss during the hearing of the petition seeking a direction to the Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Board to abolish the special 'darshan'.
When the Judges wanted to know under water legal provision the special fee was being collected, Assistant Advocate General Chellapandian submitted only 199 temples were collecting such special fee and there was a provision to collect the same. He said a separate queue was being arranged for special darshan devotees.
Not satisfied with the reply, the judges asked the 199 temples to be impleaded.
The petitioner submitted the three grades of temples were collecting fees ranging from Rs.10 to Rs.1,000 from the devotees for special 'darshan' and it was increased during festivals.
There was no need for special 'darshan' as the temples were getting enough funds by way of donations and offerings in hundis, he said adding only senior citizens and physically challenged persons needed to be given special arrangement.
