New Delhi, Dec. 15 -- The Supreme Court on Monday criticised the practice of allowing affluent people to do 'special pujas' in temples after paying money, saying that the "current setup" amounted to exploiting the deity.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said, "After closing the temple at 12 noon, they do not allow the deity to rest even for a minute. They rely most on the deity at this time. All affluent people who can pay the most hefty amounts are allowed to do special pujas."

It also issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and the court-constituted High Powered Committee on a plea challenging the changed temple 'darshan' timings and discontinuation of Dehri Puja at t...