Supreme Court Orders All Banke Bihari Donations Directly to Deity

The Supreme Court, in a recent judgment, mandated that all donations collected at the Banke Bihari Temple in Varanasi be given directly to the deity. The ruling rejects the long‑standing practice of temple staff, known as sevayats, diverting funds from the donation box. Senior advocate Maninder Singh highlighted that sevayats cover the donation box with flowers to deter devotees from placing their offerings in it, subsequently taking the money away. The court’s decision aims to restore transparency and ensure that devotees’ contributions reach the intended religious purpose. Temple management has been instructed to remove any intermediaries and to maintain a clear donation process.

The judgment comes amid growing concerns over financial mismanagement at several historic temples. By enforcing a direct channel for donations, the court seeks to protect the interests of pilgrims and uphold the sanctity of religious practices.

Temple authorities are expected to comply with the directive immediately, and a monitoring mechanism will be established to verify adherence to the new rules.