Overview
- A Division Bench of Justices G. Jayachandran and K. K. Ramakrishnan dismissed the state's law-and-order objections as an “imaginary ghost.”
- The court directed the Devasthanam to light the lamp at the Deepathoon, with only a designated temple team allowed, ASI conditions for preservation, and District Collector supervision.
- Appellants failed to produce formidable evidence that Saivite Agama Shastra prohibits lighting the lamp at the pillar or that the pillar belongs to the dargah.
- The bench noted the pillar lies on temple land and said the ritual does not obstruct or affect worship at the nearby Sikandar Badusha Dargah.
- The Tamil Nadu government signaled a Supreme Court challenge, while contempt proceedings over non-compliance with the December 1 single-judge order remain pending.