Nobody can claim to be better devotee than the other: SC

Nobody can claim to be a better devotee than the other, the Supreme Court today said as it directed for determination of entry and exits gates for people and fixing of barricades within two weeks for the famous Kalkaji Mandir here to thwart any danger of stampede.
A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said entry or exist gates should be appropriately barricaded so that the devotees remain in queue and come back in queue.
"The maintenance of discipline is paramount as far as the temple is concerned. Neither any 'savayat' nor any devotee has any right to denigrate the sanctity of the temple. Nobody can put forth a claim that he is a better devotee than the other," the bench also comprising Justice Shiva Kirti Singh said.

The bench's direction came after a submission was made on behalf of a court-appointed committee which said there is no proper signage at the five entry points of the temple and as a result there is an unmanageable crowd which has the potentiality to create an unhealthy atmosphere and may lead to stampede at any time.
It said for the determination of gates, the committee shall hold a meeting with the people concerned and the Assistant Commissioner of Police and complete the exercise within two weeks.
It also directed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of the area to install a demarcating barricade by which the non-temple area can be carved out from the temple area.

It, however, clarified that that the SDM shall not go by any kind of records which may effect the right, title and interest of the litigating parties in various courts and should only demarcate so that the authorities concerned can proceed with the works relating to cleanliness and other aspects.

The bench also passed a slew of directions to Delhi Development Authority, South Delhi Municipal Corporation and Delhi Jal Board regarding the cleanliness at the temple, fencing and leakage of pipes.
Earlier, on October 28, the apex court had appointed a batch of volunteers comprising 28 people for cleaning Kalkaji temple complex here on weekly basis starting from November 1.

It had, however, made it clear that volunteers who have been assigned to clean the temple complex "do not have any status".
The court in 2013 had stayed a Delhi High court order directing demolition of unauthorised constructions in the Kalkaji temple premises.
The high court ordered demolition of unauthorised construction within the complex on a PIL filed by advocate Piyush Joshi highlighting the unhygienic conditions and illegal construction at the temple.
Joshi had accused the "prabandhak" committee of turning a blind eye to rampant illegal construction by shopkeepers around the temple.