- By Priyanka Koul
- Wed, 17 Sep 2025 10:53 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition seeking the restoration of a 7-foot-tall headless idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple, part of the iconic Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih ruled that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), not the court.
"Go and ask the deity itself to do something now. You say you are a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. So go and pray now. It's an archaeological site and ASI needs to give permission etc. Sorry," Chief Justice Gavai told the petitioner, as reported by NDTV.
While hearing the plea filed by Rakesh Dalal, the Chief Justice remarked sharply, “Go and ask the deity itself to do something now.”
The petitioner claimed the idol was mutilated during the Mughal invasions and has remained unrestored despite numerous appeals to the government. He argued that the continued damage to the idol, even 77 years after Independence, amounted to a violation of devotees’ fundamental right to worship.
Dalal's petition also highlighted the historical significance of the Khajuraho temples, built by the Chandravanshi kings, and accused both colonial authorities and post-independence governments of neglecting restoration efforts.
The plea referred to various memoranda, protests, and campaigns demanding restoration, all of which, according to the petitioner, were ignored.
However, the Supreme Court was firm in its stance, stating that Khajuraho is a protected archaeological site, and any decision regarding restoration must be made by the ASI. The petition, argued by senior advocate Sanjay M. Nuli, was ultimately dismissed, with the court reiterating that it was not within its purview to intervene.