AGRA, DECEMBER 23: The first of three special moonlight viewing of the Taj Mahal allowed by the Supreme Court proved to be a damp squib on Wednesday night as confusion over the court directives forced authorities to close its gates just an hour after they were opened, causing harassment to the visitors.As soon as the gates were opened by the district authorities at 10 pm, after charging Rs 1,000 from foreigners and Rs 2,00 from Indians, Supreme Court observer Krishan Mahajan turned up and ordered the closure of the gates saying "prior clearance" had to be taken from him.Mahajan said that in his absence permission had to be sought from the representative of the Agra district judge as arranged by the Apex Court.The Apex Court, keeping in view the desire of thousands of tourists to view the Taj Mahal in the `brightest moon' in 133 years, on Wednesday allowed visitors' entry into the historical Mughal monument for three nights.District Magistrate P K Mahanti and senior Police Superintendent S B Singh failed to convince Mahajan about the court directives as he ordered the ticket counters to be sealed till further orders.However, sources said the seal is expected to be removed sometime on Thursday.Visitors, who were able to get inside the monument, complained about the discomfiture faced by them and some foreigners were seen arguing with the officials.
