‘Go Ask The Deity,’ SC Refuses Restoration Of Beheaded Lord Vishnu Idol at Khajuraho
A beheaded Lord Vishnu idol at Khajuraho temple became the center of a Supreme Court plea for restoration.
The Supreme Court today refused restoration of a 7-foot beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari temple in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
A bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justice Vinod Chandran was told that the idol was mutilated during the Mughal invasions. Refusing any relief, the CJI said, "Go and ask the deity now. You say you are a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, so go and pray now".
The Court further opined that as Khajuraho is an archaeological site, the permission from Archeological Survey of India would be required.
Filed by Rakesh Dalal, the petition claimed that the idol remained in that state despite repeated representations to the government to restore it.
Dalal further told court that he had received a response from the Superintending Archaeologist that the responsibility of conservation of the Khajuraho temples lies with the Archaeological Survey of India and the replacement of the beheaded idol was against the conservation rules.
Case Title: Rakesh Dalal vs. Union of India
Hearing Date: September 16, 2025
Bench: CJI Gavai and Justice Chandran