The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will not tolerate any impediment to the redevelopment of Mathura’s Bankey Bihari temple after a high powered committee constituted by the court leveled serious allegations of pilferage of temple donations by priests and obstacles in acquiring the surrounding area.
The bench made it clear, “Let there be no doubt, if a single penny is misused, we will direct the police to register a case. Besides the retired judge, the HPTC has the Mathura district magistrate/collector as member-secretary, two district judicial officers, senior superintendent of police (Mathura), municipal commissioner (Mathura); and vice chairman, Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority among other members. On the other hand, the state claimed that for several years, the civil judge was monitoring the temple’s affairs. It refused to recognise the right of the temple committee, claiming that the temple is located on public land.
The HPTC was constituted by the court on August 8, 2025, in a bunch of petitions filed by the Bankey Bihari temple management committee and other stakeholders, challenging a May 26, 2025 ordinance issued by the state allowing it to use temple funds for a development corridor project in a 5-kilometre space around the temple.
The report by the high powered temple committee (HPTC) headed by former high court judge, justice (retd) Ashok Kumar said that members of the Goswami sect – the traditional shebayats (priests) and their agents stand with bags in front of the gullacks (treasury pots) instructing devotees to put all donations into the bags.
Court Addresses Obstruction in Temple Development
In a recent court session, it was revealed that the Goswami sect is allegedly discouraging surrounding property owners from selling their land for a temple expansion. Singh stated that the Goswamis’ family members have also declined to sell their land within the development area. This resistance is hindering plans to build essential facilities for pilgrims, including medical services, washrooms, a waiting lounge, and a food court.
The court highlighted that members of the Goswami sect were included in the HPTC to facilitate the temple’s operations. However, the bench warned that if they continue to obstruct the development, their involvement may be reconsidered.
