Temple money belongs to God, cannot be given to banks for survival, CJI Surya Kant’s big statement on donations.

Supreme Court Hearing: The Supreme Court has made important comments regarding the money donated to temples. The court said on Friday, December 5, that the money donated to the temple belongs to the deity. It cannot be used to save or enrich a co-operative bank. The bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing the applications of some cooperative banks of Kerala, in which the order of the Kerala High Court to return the deposits of Thirunelli Temple Devaswom was challenged. The Supreme Court asked what is wrong in the order of Kerala High Court?

CJI Surya Kant asked, you want to use the temple money to save the bank. What is wrong in this if the temple money goes to a national bank instead of lying in a co-operative bank which can give higher interest? He said that the temple money belongs to the deity, hence it should be secured, preserved and used only for the temple. It cannot become the basis of a co-operative bank’s income or its existence.

Petitioner banks gave this argument

Advocate Manu Krishnan of the petitioner banks argued that the sudden direction by the High Court to return the deposits within 2 months is creating problems. On this the CJI said that you should establish your credibility among the public. You are not able to attract customers and deposits, that is your problem.

Why was the High Court decision challenged?

Justice Bagchi said that it was the responsibility of the bank to return the deposits after their maturity. On this, the lawyer said that the banks are not opposing closing the deposits, but the sudden order to return the amount will create problems.

Also read: Is this a joke of our legal system? CJI Surya Kant got angry, angry on this case

Supreme Court rejected the petitions

The Supreme Court rejected the petitions. However, the petitioners were given the freedom to apply to the Kerala High Court for extension of time. These petitions were filed by Mananthavady Co-operative Urban Society Limited and Thirunelli Service Cooperative Bank Limited. He had challenged the decision of the Division Bench of the Kerala High Court given in August. Kerala High Court had ordered that the concerned banks should return the deposited amount of Thirunelli Temple Devaswom within 2 months.