On December 5, the Supreme Court's division bench dismissed a petition seeking to declare Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra a "Paramaatma," and imposed a cost Rs 1 lakh fee on the petitioner for filing "publicity interest litigation." The bench, which included Justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar, observed: "India is a secular country and the petitioner cannot be permitted to pray that the citizens of India may accept Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra as Paramaatma (supreme spirit)".

"If you want you can consider him as Paramaatma. Why enforce it on others?", The bench questioned the petitioner. While dismissing the petition, the Apex Court further noted that it was not a "genuine PIL" and imposed exemplary costs."Now people will think at least 4 times before filing such PILs", Justice Shah remarked.

The fee must be deposited with the Supreme Court registry within four weeks.