Maharashtra: ASI says Trimbakeshwar temple trust has no legal authority to levy VIP darshan charges of Rs 200

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has informed the Bombay High Court that the Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust has “no legal authority” to charge Rs200 for “VIP darshan”. As per ASI affidavit, this is a violation of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.

The ASI filed an affidavit before the HC, which is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) by a local social worker Lalita Shinde, through advocate Rameshwar Gite, seeking directions to the trust to stop charging. 

The affidavit filed by superintending archaeologist, ASI Aurangabad Circle, Shiv Kumar Bhagat, states that the trust has no such legal authority, and further contends that the two trusts were formed at the ancient temple without any authorisation.

According to the affidavit, when the sub-circle office of ASI at Nashik – which looks after maintenance, conservation and preservation of monuments within the Nashik division – learnt about the banner put up for the fee, he immediately wrote to the trust on Feb 6, 2014, asking them to immediately remove the banners and not charge. However, the trust did not stop charging the amount.

Continuing its correspondence with the trust, the affidavit said that it clarified that only the ASI reserves the right of access of the public to a protected monument and the fee, if any, to be charged.

The affidavit further adds that the trust, through its advocate, denied putting up any banner and charging fees. The advocate’s reply stated that Rs200 is being collected as a donation from devotees/visitors who are willing to pay such an amount and it is not compulsory.

The ASI has further said that it had sent letters to the Nashik Collector and the Charity Commissioner to initiate suitable action. However, no action has been taken and the temple trust continues to charge the amount.