SC seeks development plan near Vrindavan temple

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Uttar Pradesh Government to prepare a comprehensive development plan, including widening of roads and other facilities for senior citizens, women, children and ailing devotees of Thakur Shree Bankey Bihari Ji Maharaj temple in Vrindavan.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took note of the plea that the deity at the temple is a “living child” and passed a significant interim order to balance centuries-old traditions with modern administrative needs.

The bench directed the inclusion of four specific Goswami representatives into the high-powered committee (HPC) for effective management of the affairs of the temple.

It also directed the State Government and the HPC to prepare a comprehensive development plan for the area surrounding the temple.

The bench said the plan should address widening of roads, regulation of commercial activity, facilities for devotees and local residents, hotels, dharamshalas, drinking water, restrooms, emergency exits, public transport and electric vehicle access for senior citizens, women, children and ailing devotees. “We have, therefore, requested the State Government as well as the committee to prepare a report and submit it before us for consideration,” the CJI said in the order.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan and lawyer Tanvi Dubey, appearing for ‘sevayats’ (priests), said that the court-appointed HPC was interfering with “essential religious practices”.

He specifically challenged the September 2025 order of the HPC that altered ‘darshan’ timings. “The deity is a living child. There are specific periods for waking the deity, performing rituals and an afternoon rest period.

These timings are deeply embedded in rituals followed since time immemorial and should not be disturbed for administrative convenience,” Divan said. The petitioners also flagged the suspension of the ‘Dehri Pooja’, a ritual performed at the temple threshold when doors are closed and the imposition of an “exorbitant” fee of Rs 1.51 lakh for the ‘Phool Bangla Seva’, which was previously conducted by paying only nominal electricity and maintenance costs.

Addressing a “communication gap” between the Goswami community and the current administration, the bench ordered the induction of four members nominated by the priests into the committee.

From the two primary groups of ‘sevayats’, the bench nominated Rajat Goswami and Shailendra Goswami (‘Shayan Bhog’ group), and Gopesh Goswami and Himanshu Goswami (‘Raj Bhog’ group).

“All of them shall jointly give suggestions for improvement and continuity in religious practices. We have no reason to doubt that these suggestions, particularly regarding temple timings, will receive due consideration,” the CJI said.

Expressing grave concern over the safety and comfort of devotees in Vrindavan’s narrow lanes, the CJI said, “You have to think out of the box. Unlike Tirupati, which has spatial advantages, Banke Bihari is located in narrow lanes.”

Justice Bagchi emphasised that while rituals must continue, the “exploitation” of devotees must end.

On May 18, the bench had sought a reply from the HPC overseeing the functioning of the temple, noting that a plea made “serious allegations” against it, including changing of ‘darshan’ timings and suspension of the traditional ‘Dehri Pooja’.

It took note of the plea filed by the temple ‘sevayats’ through lawyer Tanvi Dubey who alleged that the HPC interfered with essential religious practices.

The top court had earlier issued a notice on the petition on December 15, 2025, following which the HPC filed a status report.

The petitioners subsequently filed their response to the report.

The matter assumes significance against the backdrop of an ongoing litigation over the Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, which sought to replace the existing management structure with a State-controlled trust.

Earlier, while hearing the challenge to the ordinance, the apex court had stayed parts of the law and constituted a 12-member HPC headed by retired Allahabad High Court judge Justice Ashok Kumar to oversee the temple’s day-to-day administration.

On April 13, the top court had clarified that the HPC was not inclined to make “any structural changes” to the existing religious practice arrangements at the temple.