Supreme Court To Constitute Interim Committee Headed By Former High Court Judge For Management Of Bankey Bihari Temple
Today, the Supreme Court proposed to constitute a Committee headed by former High Court Judge as an interim measure for the management of Thakur Shree Bankey Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh.
A Writ Petition was filed by the Management Committee of Thakur Bankey Bihari Ji Temple challenging the Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, which transfers the control and administration of the Temple to a statutory Trust.
The Bench of Justice solar rightt and Justice joymalya bagchi proposed four key interim measures, one of it was the constitution of a Committee headed by the Former judge of the High Court as an interim measure for the effective management of the Temple.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanappearing for the Temple, submitted that the Ordinance cannot continue in its present form and thus sought some interim orders.
Upon which, Justice Kant orally proposed to grant following measures:
1. Part of the judgment which affected the rights of the parties would be deleted;
2. The Supreme Court will grant the liberty to challenge it before The High Court;
3. The Ordinance will not be given given effect in respect of the matters which will be decided by the High Court; and
4. Constitution of a Committee headed by the Former judge of the High Court as an interim measure for the effective management of the Temple.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Petitioner, requested if the Committee could be headed by the former judge of the Supreme Court. However, the Court refused the same.
Further, Justice Kant continued to propose that in the Committee some officials like Collectors would be included as their assistance on day-to-day basis would be required.
On submissions of Sibal, the Court agreed to authorise the former High Court Judge(Chairman of the Committee) to include some Goswamis, who performs seva for the Deity as well.
Thereafter, Sankarnarayan submitted, “Point about the Ordinance being into some sort of abeyance… that’s our major concern. Timings of Deity and all are there in the Ordinance…they cannot touch any of that.”
Later, Justice Kant remarked, “Committee will be a Public platform, any one of you can go to the Committee.“
Accordingly, orders were reserved by the Supreme Court.
Case Background
Earlier, while hearing the Writ Petition, the Supreme Court orally remarked, “The Temple funds will be definitely utilised only and only for the purpose of the welfare… of the pilgrims and it cannot be pocketed by private persons in the name of private Temple…”
The Supreme Court also questioned the State of Uttar Pradesh regarding the haste in passing the Ordinance for taking over the management of the Bankey Bihari Temple located at Vrindavan.
The Ordinance transfers the control and administration of the Shree Banke Bihari Ji temple situated in Mathura from the Sewayat Goswamis who have been managing the temple for the past 500 years to a statutory Trust constituted under the Impugned Ordinance.
The Writ Petition stated that the Ordinance violated the scheme of Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India in terms that it infringes the right of religious denominations to manage its own affairs in matters of religion and the autonomy in conducting temple worship, rituals, and associated religious practices. It was also emphasised that the Ordinance is in violation of Articles 14 and 300A of the Constitution of India.
Cause Title: Management Committee Of Thakur Shree Bankey Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple And Anr. V. State Of Uttar Pradesh And Ors. (W.P.(C) No. 704/2025 X)