The Supreme Court of India.
Credit: PTI File Photo
New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday contended before the Supreme Court that its objective for enacting an ordinance for Shri Banke Bihari Temple trust was aimed at better administration of the religious place at Vrindavan in Mathura.
Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, before a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, said the 2025 ordinance had nothing to do with the pending litigation of ownership of the temple administration.
"Let me clarify at the outset that the ordinance has nothing to do with the pending writ petition. There was a PIL filed for better administration of the temple before the high court and directions were passed," Nataraj said.
He said the ordinance was issued for better administration of the temple which witnesses about two-three lakh devotees every week.
The bench said this argument can be made before the high court, where the challenge to the ordinance could be relegated.
On August 4, the top court said it would keep in abeyance its May 15 nod to the ambitious scheme to develop the Shri Banke Bihari Temple Corridor at Vrindavan in Mathura for the benefit of devotees as key stakeholders were not heard.
Nataraj handed over the proposal of the state government to the bench.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioners, sought to give a proposal and suggestions on the issue of administration of temple by August 8.
The petitioners have challenged the validity of Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, for reportedly taking over the management of the ancient temple and the recall of the top court's May 15 order.
The court had then allowed an impleadment application filed by the state while paving the way for a Uttar Pradesh government scheme to develop the corridor, by utilising Rs 500 crore of the temple funds.
The court fixed the matter for consideration on August 8.