SC appoints retired judge led committee to oversee functioning of Shri Banke Bihari Temple

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has appointed a high-powered committee headed by retired Allahabad High Court judge, Justice Ashok Kumar to oversee and supervise the day-to-day functioning inside and outside of the Shri Banke Bihari Temple at Vrindavan in Mathura, after having noted that previous administerial deadlocks and in-fighting have only worsened the problems plaguing the shrine and causing distress to pilgrims.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi also stayed the operation of the provisions made in an Ordinance in the interregnum, only to the extent they granted the Uttar Pradesh government powers to constitute a trust for managing the temple’s affairs.

"The constitution of the Shree Bankey Bihar Ji Temple Trust, as defined in Section 3 of the Ordinance and its composition, as contained in Section 5, shall be kept in abeyance till the question of validity of the Ordinance (or any Act in relation thereto subsequently passed by the State Legislature), is finally resolved by the High Court," the bench said.

The court ordered the committee to make an endeavour to plan the holistic development of the temple and its vicinity, for which they may privately negotiate suitable purchase of the requisite land. 

"In case no such negotiation fructifies, the state government is directed to proceed with acquisition of the required land in accordance with law," the bench said.

Releasing its detailed order on Saturday following the proceedings on August 8, 2025, the bench said, "We are pained to observe that the previous administerial deadlocks and in-fighting have only worsened the problems plaguing the temple, causing much distress to the pilgrims – who are left without any amenities or redress."

The court noted the material on record indicated that despite the substantial donations received by the temple running into hundreds of crores, no tangible steps appeared to have been taken by the successive managements for providing essential facilities to the scores of devotees visiting the temple. 

"We are also informed that the Goswami Shebaits remain divided into factions and continue to litigate before the civil courts, further contributing to administrative inaction. We are, therefore, satisfied that a High-Powered Managing Committee headed by an impartial person with considerable experience and ability is required to be constituted to run the day-to-day affairs of the Temple," the bench said.

In its order, the court also clarified that besides the four members in the committee, representing the Goswamis, no other Goswami or sevayat would  be associated or allowed to interfere or impede in any way in the managing of the Temple’s critical functions, except in the practice of conducting puja/sewa and offering prasad to the deity.

The committee would also comprise members such as Mukesh Mishra, retired District & Sessions Judge, Uttar Pradesh, District & Sessions Judge, Mathura; Munsif, Mathura/Civil Judge, Mathura; District Magistrate, Mathura, and Senior Superintendent of Police, Mathura, among others.

The court also modified its May 15, 2025 order which allowed the state government to utilise Rs 500 cr of temple funds for building corridor around the temple.

"Such directions suffer from a foundational procedural infirmity, as the principal affected parties, including the Shebait Goswamis, who have been administering the temple, were not heard prior to the passing of said order," the bench ordered.

"To allow substantive directions on a matter of such significance to be issued in collateral proceedings, especially in absentia of the necessary stakeholders, may not be in conformity with procedural fairness and judicial best-practices," the bench added.

The court relegated those challenging the validity of Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, which allowed the State to establish a trust for managing the affairs of the temple, to the High Court.

"The High Court has dealt with the contentious issue of the temple’s management on a plethora of previous occasions. Consequently, we decline to entertain these writ petitions, which challenge the vires of the Ordinance. Instead, we deem it appropriate to relegate the affected persons, including the petitioners, to pursue all their remedies in law before the High Court," the bench said.

The court urged the Chief Justice of the High Court to list the writ petitions questioning the constitutionality of the Ordinance before a division bench. 

"However, the interim order(s) issued here (on formation of committee) shall continue to operate till the matter is decided finally by the High Court," the bench said.

The temple, constructed in 1864 on land gifted by Raja Ratan Singh, is known as world-renowned destination for Hindu devotees and pilgrims with significant spiritual and cultural import.