SC Stays UP Govt’s Banke Bihari Takeover Bid, Orders Committee
The Supreme Court on Monday, August 4, 2025, stayed the Uttar Pradesh government’s controversial takeover of the revered Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan. The court expressed strong disapproval of the state’s opaque handling of the matter.
The apex court questioned the government’s justification for the ordinance transferring temple control and raised serious concerns about the utilisation of temple funds. Transparency and accountability were cited as critical missing elements.
A committee, comprising representatives of the temple, the government, and other stakeholders, will be appointed to oversee the temple’s administration. This committee will also review the proposed corridor project.
The court’s intervention underscores the importance of protecting religious institutions from arbitrary government actions. This decision has significant implications for the management of other religious sites across the nation, setting a crucial precedent for transparency and accountability in their governance.
