Supreme Court nod for Kerala High Court to continue execution proceedings in Kashi Math case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (September 15, 2026) did not intervene with a Kerala High Court decision of August 2026 which allowed Kashi Matadhipati Swami Samyamindra Tirtha to continue the execution proceedings for recovery of gold, silver ornaments and paraphernalia belonging to the Kashi Math Samsthan from Raghavendra Tirtha Swami.

A Bench headed by Justice Aravind Kumar dismissed the special leave petition filed by Raghavendra Tirtha, who had originally sought a declaration that he was the lawful 21st Matadhipati of the Samsthan, an ancient religious institution governed by long-standing customs and usages.

Trouble started with a dispute between the former Matadhipathi, Sudhindra Thirtha Swami, and Raghavendra Tirtha.

Raghavendra Tirtha moved a Tirupati district court for a declaration that he was the 21st Matadhipati. Sudhindra Tirtha had resisted the suit, countering that the former had never succeeded to the office of Matadhipati.