Lamp row: Plea in SC against HC order

Allowing lighting of lamp subject to ASI nod, Madurai HC exceeded jurisdiction, says the plea

- SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court’s January 6 judgment, subjecting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the Thirupparankundram hilltop only after clearance from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the police.

In his plea, Ravikumar, the original petitioner, has challenged the HC’s directive as an unlawful dilution of binding civil court decrees recognising the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple’s ownership and control of the hill, and as an impermissible judicial intrusion into an essential religious practice.

Ravikumar contended that although the HC acknowledged the temple’s right to light the Deepam at the Deepathoon, it rendered that right conditional by subjecting it to administrative discretion.