The Supreme Court has formed an interim committee to oversee the management of Vrindavan’s Shri Banke Bihari temple. Headed by retired Allahabad High Court judge Justice Ashok Kumar, the panel will function until the Allahabad High Court rules on the UP government’s ordinance on temple management.

The court stayed the provision of the ordinance, allowing the state to form a trust for the temple. Justice Kumar will receive Rs 2 lakh per month, and committee member retired judge Mukesh Mishra will get Rs 1 lakh per month, both from temple funds.

The panel will operate from Mathura, with office space provided free of cost by the district administration. It will also plan the temple’s development, including land acquisition if required.

Apart from four nominated Goswami representatives, no other Goswami or Sevayat will be allowed to interfere in management, though they may perform worship and offer prasad.

Committee members include a serving district or civil judge of Mathura, the district magistrate, SSP, municipal commissioner, vice-chairman of the Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority, a renowned architect, an ASI representative, and two members each from both Goswami groups.

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