Temple entry ban: No HC relief for 65-year-old woman

The Bombay high court has directed a senior citizen from Powai to move the metropolitan magistrate’s court through a private complaint to seek directions against the office-bearers of a temple who turned her away from the premises.

A division bench of justice VM Kanade and justice PD Kode said: “The remedy to file a private complaint is open and if such a complaint is filed, the magistrate will decide on the relief claimed under section 156 (3) at the earliest.”

Kamala Bajaj, 65, claimed that on September 30, 2011, she was abused by the godman and office-bearers of a Shiva temple behind her housing society and told to not enter the premises. She claimed that despite filing a complaint with the Powai police, no action was taken.

Bajaj’s advocate sought action on the police’s failure to act on her complaint.

But, the court said it was not in position to direct the alleged offenders from allowing Bajaj to visit the temple. They disposed of the petition on the grounds that she would have to move the appropriate court for relief.