The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Tuesday, 16 June 2025 a petition filed by the sevayats of the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Mathura, challenging several decisions made by the court-appointed high-powered management committee overseeing the temple's administration. The case will be taken up by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana, as listed on the apex court's official cause list.

What the Sevayats Are Challenging

The petitioners — hereditary priests and caretakers of the shrine — contend that certain decisions by the Supreme Court-appointed management committee have adversely affected long-standing religious traditions at the temple. Two key grievances stand out: the extension of darshan hours and the discontinuation of the traditional 'Dehri Puja' practice, a ritual integral to the temple's centuries-old liturgical routine.

The hearing is also expected to address the broader development of the temple precincts and surrounding areas in Vrindavan, which has been an ongoing concern before the court.

What Happened at the Previous Hearing

During the last hearing on 26 May 2025, the apex court expanded the composition of the high-powered management committee by inducting four elected representatives from the Raj Bhog and Shayan Bhog Goswami groups. The move was aimed at ensuring that traditional religious practices receive adequate representation within the temple's administrative structure.

The newly inducted members were directed by the court to jointly recommend measures for preserving traditional practices and improving day-to-day temple functioning — including suggestions on darshan timings suited to different weather conditions. Notably, the court's own expansion of the committee signals its recognition that the original structure may have underweighted customary religious authority.

Development Plan for Mathura-Vrindavan Area

The Supreme Court has also stressed the need for holistic development of the area surrounding the temple. The Uttar Pradesh government and the court-appointed committee were directed to prepare a comprehensive development plan covering road widening, regulation of commercial activities, improved pilgrim amenities, drinking water facilities, hospitals, resting places, transport services, and dedicated facilities for women, children, senior citizens, and differently-abled devotees. Both the state government and the committee were asked to submit a detailed report for the court's consideration.

Background: How the Committee Was Formed

In August 2025, the Supreme Court constituted the high-powered management committee, headed by retired Allahabad High Court judge Justice Ashok Kumar, to supervise the day-to-day affairs of the Shri Banke Bihari Temple. The committee was tasked with crowd management, pilgrim safety, amenities, and overall development of the temple and its environs.

Simultaneously, the apex court stayed provisions of the Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025 — legislation that had empowered the Uttar Pradesh government to create a separate trust to manage the temple — pending adjudication of its constitutional validity by the Allahabad High Court. That stay remains in force, making Tuesday's hearing a critical juncture in the ongoing legal and religious contest over the temple's governance.

The outcome of Tuesday's proceedings could set the terms for how court-supervised religious administration balances institutional efficiency with the preservation of traditional practice at one of India's most visited Vaishnava shrines.