The Madras High Court ruled that special honours in temples are not an absolute right, emphasizing the presiding deity holds the primary claim. Justices S M Subramaniam and C Kumarappan dismissed an appeal concerning temple honours, stating such practices, while customary, cannot be legally demanded. The court clarified that the authority to decide on honouring religious leaders rests with competent authorities under the relevant Act, not as an inherent entitlement.