New Delhi: The Supreme Court directed the Centre to review the management of all such holy places to make it visitors’ friendly and curb malpractices. In a bid to ensure hassle-free access of pilgrims to important religious shrines without getting exploited by local people and touts.

While hearing a PIL on alleged lack of basic facilities for visitors in Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, a vacation bench of Justices AK Goel and Ashok Bhushan expanded the ambit of the petition and decided to examine the management policy of all important shrines in the country to ensure that their religious sanctity is maintained and to prevent their commercialisation.

“We only want that lakhs and lakhs of devotees who visit the places of worship of importance are not exploited and there are no encroachment, malpractices and misuse of funds," the bench said. The apex court directed the Centre to set up a committee to review the management practices of all important shrines in the country and file a report before it.

“There is no doubt that proper management of pilgrimage centres of great importance is a matter of public interest. These centres are of undoubted religious, social historical and architectural importance, representing cultural heritage of our country. Millions of people visit these centres not only for tourism but also for seeking inspiration for the righteous values and for their well being. They also make huge offerings and donations for advancement of such values,” the court said.

The court issued a slew of directions to address alleged exploitation of devotees at Shri Jagannath temple and the mismanagement of its finances, including donations and offerings by pilgrims. It directed the district judge of Puri to file a report on difficulties faced by the pilgrims and the exploitative practices in temple premises as alleged by the petitioner.