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Vrindavan temple: Sevayats file application in Allahabad high court on PIL related to maintenance of Temple

An Application has been filed in the Allahabad High Court by the Sevayats of the Banke Bihari temple at Vrindavan (Mathura) apprehending that their interest may be affected by passing any order in the PIL filed regarding framing of proper scheme for maintenance and upkeep of Shri Banke Bihari Temple.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice J.J Munir heard the PIL filed by Anant Sharma and another.

The Court noted that,

An affidavit has been filed by the State, sworn by one Raghubeer, Special Secretary, Dharmarth Karya, Government of U.P, Lucknow dated September 28, 2022, in which a certain scheme has been proposed for development of the temple area and its proper management.

It has reference to development of the temple area as a corridor, with purchase of about five acres of land around the temple for facilitating darshan and puja by the devotees. It is specifically stated that there would be no interference of any kind in the puja-archana or shringar carried out by the Goswamis. Whatever rights they have, they will continue to enjoy the same. It mentions that besides use of purchase of five acres of land around the Temple, for provision of other facilities such as parking area and other public amenities, the State will bear the expenses.

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A trust is also proposed to be constituted having eleven nominated members, which include two from the Goswamis in addition to six exofficio members and one appointed by the State.

Counsel appearing for the Goswamis, who have filed their applications for being impleaded in the writ petition, submitted that as on today, in terms of an order passed by the Munsif, Mathura in Civil Suit, the affairs of the Temple are being managed according to the scheme framed by the Munsif. For any doubt, clarification has to be sought from him.

It was further submitted that as per the scheme approved and being followed, the entire offering of the temple, either in cash or in kind (valuables) as offered by the devotees in gullak or otherwise, is deposited in the bank account in the name of the Deity.

The amount of interest earned thereon is spent for payment of salaries of the staff employed and other sundry expenses and for any other development or construction in the temple area, the permission from the Munsif, Mathura is taken. When the committee is not there, then permission is taken from the Civil Judge (Junior Division), Mathura.

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Counsel appearing for the Goswamis expressed their apprehension about involvement of officers of local administration in the rights and policy regarding the other matters.

They also submitted that the fund lying in the account of the Deity in the Temple should not be utilized for purchase of five acres of land around the Temple, as proposed by the State. In case the land is acquired by the State on its own expense, they may proceed further. It was further pointed out that there are certain other ancient temples close to the Temple. Those should also be part of the scheme, as a lot of devotees visit those temples also.

The Court directed the State to seek instructions in the matter.

The Court has fixed the next date of hearing of the petition on November 17, 2022.

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