Supreme Court panel defends Bankey Bihari temple reforms; VIP darshan scrapped and timings revised

The committee opposed petitioners' plea to restore the earlier management system or conduct elections under the 1939 management scheme, arguing such relief would override the Supreme Court’s August 8, 2025 order.

The committee acknowledged some interim expenditures from temple funds but said the state government would assume financial responsibility; government officials on the committee continue to be paid by the state.

The committee addressed objections to the revised darshan timings and Goswami appointments, confirming reforms were within mandate and aligned with Supreme Court directions.

The committee defended the Goswami selection process as transparent, noting a public notice, invited applications, and hearings; an earlier meeting cited by petitioners was deemed outside the framework of temple administration.

The report clarified that the dehri pooja has not been stopped but relocated to a different area near the sanctum to avoid obstructing crowd flow.

A sub-committee including land-acquisition experts and Goswami representatives was formed to negotiate nearby land purchases to facilitate long-term infrastructure expansion.

Structural assessments of the temple complex were initiated as part of broader infrastructure development plans.

Live streaming of darshan was explored as a measure to ease physical crowding while preserving accessibility to the deity.

The HPC introduced designated entry and exit routes to improve crowd flow and safety within the temple complex.

The temple's darshan schedule was revised to advance opening hours and extend public access windows in both summer and winter to address surging footfall.

The committee stated that the VIP darshan system was scrapped unanimously to end preferential access and ensure equitable queueing for all devotees.

The case was scheduled to be heard on May 18, 2026, as indicated in the status report presented to the bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant.

The HPC filed a detailed status report defending reforms—including scrapping VIP darshan, revising timings, and crowd-management measures—and the report was placed on record before the Supreme Court bench.

In February 2026, the Allahabad High Court upheld the committee’s decision to extend darshan timings, noting it was meant to reduce hardship for pilgrims amid heavy footfall.

The Supreme Court issued an order constituting the High-Powered Committee (HPC) to oversee the temple's management, forming the framework for subsequent reforms.