Tezzbuzz Desk – The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave a big order regarding donations coming to the famous Banke Bihari temple of Vrindavan. The court clearly said that the entire donation given by the devotees should be deposited directly into the temple treasury only through the donation boxes of the temple or through online medium.
The bench of Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana said that there should not be any ambiguity in the system of donation. The court directed the management committee of the temple to implement a transparent system for taking donations and take necessary steps to prevent any kind of irregularities.
Strictness on services or role of others
The Supreme Court clarified that the devotees' money should be dedicated to the deity first. The donation amount should not go directly to any person or service associated with the temple.
The court said that the money coming through donation boxes or online should reach the temple treasury directly. Any interference by Sevayats or any other person in this process will be taken seriously.
The decision came amidst the temple management dispute
This order has come amid the ongoing controversy over the management of Banke Bihari Temple and the use of temple funds. The Uttar Pradesh government had issued an ordinance to bring the management of the temple under a legal framework in 2025. After this, questions were raised regarding the role of the government in the management of the temple and the operation of the religious institution.
In August 2025, the Supreme Court had also constituted a high-powered committee under the chairmanship of former Allahabad High Court Justice Ashok Kumar to monitor the day-to-day functioning of the temple.
Questions on the use of temple funds also
During the hearing, senior advocate Shyam Diwan, appearing for the petitioners, expressed concern about purchasing property from temple funds. He raised the question whether the management committee had the right to purchase property with temple funds.
On this, Chief Justice Surya Kant asked that if development work is to be done around the temple, then where will the funds for it come from.
The Supreme Court made it clear that the money given by the devotee to the temple should first be dedicated to the deity. Only after this, any servant or steward can get his share under the temple system.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi remarked that a priest or servant cannot consider the money of a deity as his own unless it has first been offered to the deity. After this order of the court, transparency is expected to increase regarding the arrangement of donations and offerings in Banke Bihari Temple.