Archive · 11 Aug 2025
Bhopal Court Fines Temple Over VIP Darshan Dispute
A family went to a temple and paid for a ropeway to see the temple, but VIPs got in the way.
They stood in line for a long time, but couldn't see the temple.
They complained, and the court agreed, saying that everyone should be treated the same.
The court said that if you buy a ticket and can't use it because of VIPs, that's not fair.
They fined the temple and ropeway company because of this.
Bhopal Consumer Forum fined Maihar Temple management and ropeway operator.
Petitioner alleged VIPs prevented his family from seeing the Sharda Mata temple.
The family bought ropeway tickets but couldn't get a darshan after two hours.
The Forum ruled that no devotee is special and VIP access is a service deficiency.
The case was based on the arrangement of VIP darshan in the temple.
- Who
- Lalit Kumar Gupta and family, the Maihar Temple management committee, and the ropeway operator.
- What
- The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum fined Maihar Temple management and ropeway operator.
- When
- In 2021, the family visited the temple. The petition was filed in 2022.
- Where
- Maihar Temple in Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- Because of service deficiency related to VIP access, preventing a family's temple visit.
Consumer's View
Temple Management's View
Darshan Access
Consumer's View
Denial of equal access to darshan due to VIP arrangements.
Temple Management's View
Prioritizing VIPs for darshan and managing temple operations.
- Petitioner
- Lalit Kumar Gupta
- Location
- Maihar, Madhya Pradesh
- Tickets Cost
- Rs 650
- Fine
- Rs 55,000
- Forum
- District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Bhopal