SC refuses to entertain plea challenging Bodh Gaya Temple Act; asks petitioner to move Patna HC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain plea seeking direction for handing over control and management of Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya in Bihar to Buddhists in deference to their religious faith and rights.

A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and K Vinod Chandran asked petitioner Sulekhatai Nalinitai Narayanrao Kumbhare to approach the High Court concerned.

The bench pointed out that a plea filed under Article 32 of the Constitution cannot be directly entertained on the subject, holding that such a plea was not maintainable.

The court granted the petitioner liberty to approach the Patna High Court.

The petitioner sought a direction to amend the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Act, 1949 and hand over the control and management of the temple to the Buddhists.

The counsel submitted that Bodh Gaya Temple Act should be annulled as ultra vires.

The Mahabodhi temple complex in Bihar's Bodh Gaya is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is one of the four holy areas related to the life of Lord Gautam Buddha.

Bodh Gaya is a place where Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment.