Kathmandu: Forty couples allegedly involved in "unruly acts" on Valentine's Day inside the premises of the famed Pashupatinath temple in Nepal have been fined.
Forty couples were fined Rs 200 each while 13 elderly pairs, who were married, were let off after they apologised, Sushil Kumar Nahata, chief of Pashupati Area Development Trust, said.
We have taken action as they were found to be involved in unruly acts, such as kissing, hugging, embracing and even in sexual activity, at Shlesmantak forest inside the premises, he claimed.
Some couples cried, while others covered their faces when temple staff tried to click their pictures for record.
Authorities had already announced to penalise courting couple and banned "amorous behaviour" inside the temple premises.
However, a senior staff of PADT took exception to the action taken by the trust. "Unless the couples commit some serious act, we should not take action against them on the Valentine's Day," he said on the condition of anonymity.
"The love birds have rights to enjoy and celebrate the occasion and we don t possess any rights to interfere in such affairs," he argued.
PADT officials said they initiated the action recently after complaints from devotees that the Pashupati temple premises is being used by couples for love-making activities.
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