Will not allow pilferage of offerings: Supreme Court on ‘siphoning’ of donations at Banke Bihari Temple
The Supreme Court of India has ordered the Banke Bihari Temple management to implement a transparent system for handling donations to prevent the siphoning of funds. The court emphasized that all offerings must be deposited directly into official donation boxes or the temple's online treasury.
Why it matters
This intervention addresses concerns regarding financial corruption and mismanagement in religious institutions, ensuring accountability for public donations.
Taking strong view of the allegations of siphoning away of donations at the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, the Supreme Court on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) directed that every penny donated must land in donation boxes or online into the temple treasury.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana took note of submissions by senior advocate Maninder Singh, who submitted a status report by the high-powered committee overseeing the functioning of the temple.
Mr. Singh placed on record photographs and said there are very serious issues and there is urgency in this.
"There is a video. Three people are standing in front of ‘golak’ (traditional donation box) collecting the money from the devotees and putting it in their polythene bags," he said.
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