High Court directs Thoothukudi SP to take action against unauthorised darshan fee collection at Tiruchendur temple

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday directed the Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police to take action against those involved in unauthorised collection of darshan fee at Tiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy Temple.

A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and G. Arul Murugan passed the direction while hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by A.S. Shanmuga Rajan of Chennai.

The petitioner said lakhs of devotees visited the temple every year. However, due to lack of proper regulation by the authorities concerned, several unauthorised persons could be seen near the temple entrances. They demanded exorbitant darshan fee from the devotees to guide them into the temple, leading to chaos, he said.

Due to the interference by the unauthorised persons, the devotees were not able to have a peaceful darshan at the temple, he said.

He said he had made a representation to the authorities to regulate darshan entry and its prices. He said appropriate action should be taken to curtail these unauthorised persons from selling tickets or receiving money for the unauthorised darshan entry into the temple.