Interim panel to oversee daily functioning of Mathura temple

SC proposed the formation of a panel amid deadlock between the state and current temple management committee.

- Abraham Thomas

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday agreed toa Supreme Court proposal to set up an interim management committee to oversee the daily functioning of the Bankey Bihari temple in Mathura.

The arrangement will remain in place while the legality of the state's ordinance to take over the temple’s administration is decided by the Allahabad high court.

The proposal had come from a bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi on Monday when the court expressed concern over the deadlock between the state and the current temple managing committee. It suggested that a retired high court judge head the interim panel and sought suggestions from all stakeholders on the panel's composition.

On Tuesday, the UP government, represented by ASG KM Nataraj, submitted a formal response supporting the court’s idea. The state said it had “no objection” to the formation of such a committee and agreed that it should be allowed access to temple funds to begin work on a planned temple corridor.