Madurai: The Madurai bench of the Madras High court directed the commissioner of the State Hindu Religious and Charitable Endorsements (HR & CE) department, Chennai, to ascertain whether animal fat and 'dalda' were used instead of ghee in ‘nei deepams’ that were sold in and around the temples for devotees in the state.

A division bench comprising Justices K K Sasidharan and G R Swaminathan issued this direction on Friday on a petition filed by one Shri S Anandavel, president of the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK), Sivaganga.

The petitioner's counsel Mr. Neelamegam claimed that several shops in Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai were using 'animal fats and Dalda' instead of ghee in the 'nei deepams’ (lamps)' sold to the devotees.

The counsel said that the temple shop keepers must be allowed to sell only ghee-filled ‘nei deepams’ after getting authorization from the concerned authorities. But the government officials were not monitoring the contractors who were involved in adulteration of ‘pooja’ materials sold in the temple premises, he said.

The petitioner Anandavel also alleged that camphor sold to the devotees was highly adulterated and lighting those during worship might cause health problems to them. He demanded to prohibit the distributing 'pooja' materials in plastic bags to the devotees.

As his representation to the authorities did not yield any positive response, the petitioner approached the court, the counsel said.

Recording the submissions, the court directed the commissioner of HR & CE, Chennai, and the designated officer of Food Safety and Drug administration department to submit a report on October 10.