New Delhi, August 20, 2025 –

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the District Collector of Haridwar to personally conduct an independent inquiry into the functioning and management of the Maa Chandi Devi Temple Trust in Haridwar. The apex court clarified that until the inquiry is completed, the interim arrangement earlier ordered by the Uttarakhand High Court—placing the temple trust under the supervision of the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC)—shall continue.

 

A bench comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice SVN Bhatti observed that the Collector must not only investigate the alleged irregularities but also hear all stakeholders and intervenors, including BKTC and Mahant Rohit Giri, and may, if necessary, involve other concerned parties to obtain a holistic and broad-based perspective of the situation.

 

“The Collector shall take into consideration the overall situation on the ground and shall be at liberty to engage other parties not before this Court, so as to ensure a comprehensive assessment. He is also free to recommend what should be the interim arrangement for the administration of the Math and its properties, pending final adjudication by the High Court. The best interest of the Math and its devotees must remain the paramount consideration,” the bench directed.

 

The Collector’s report is to be submitted to the High Court, which will thereafter determine the permanent or regular structure of management.

 

 

During the hearing, counsel for BKTC submitted that the Committee had already begun supervising the temple’s affairs pursuant to the High Court’s earlier order. Acknowledging this, the Supreme Court declined to take control away from the BKTC at this stage.

 

“As we have been informed that the matter is listed before the High Court tomorrow i.e., 20.08.2025, the parties shall bring this order to the notice of the High Court. The High Court is requested to adjourn the matter for a period of six weeks to await the Collector’s report. It is further requested to implead other necessary persons who were heard before us but not yet before the High Court. The High Court is urged to treat the matter as a priority and reach a final adjudication to ensure that a permanent and structured arrangement is implemented instead of continuing ad hoc measures,” the bench added.

 

The apex court also directed the BKTC to continue submitting periodic updated reports to the High Court on the temple’s functioning until the final order is passed.

 

Background of the Dispute

 

The controversy traces back to June 25, 2025, when the Uttarakhand High Court passed an order concerning the administration of the Maa Chandi Devi Temple Trust. While hearing an anticipatory bail application of the live-in partner of Mahant Rohit Giri, the High Court took suo motu cognizance of alleged irregularities and mismanagement in the trust’s administration.

 

Rohit Giri was accused in multiple cases, including blackmail, intimidation, and molestation, which raised serious concerns about entrusting him with the temple’s management. Observing that the circumstances demanded immediate oversight, the High Court appointed a Receiver, restrained both the complainant and the petitioner from interfering in the temple’s daily functioning, and directed that the trust’s activities would remain under the direct supervision of the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC).

 

This interim order prompted Mahant Bhawani Nandan Giri to approach the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court’s decision and seeking clarity on the management structure of the temple trust.

 

 

The Supreme Court’s latest directive is significant for multiple reasons:

• It ensures judicial oversight while maintaining continuity in temple administration under BKTC.

• It mandates a personal, fact-finding inquiry by the District Collector to address allegations of mismanagement, irregularities, and misuse of authority.

• It emphasizes devotee welfare and transparency in the administration of one of Haridwar’s most prominent shrines.

• It balances judicial caution with practical continuity by allowing BKTC’s supervision to remain until the Collector’s recommendations are examined.

 

The matter will now return to the Uttarakhand High Court after six weeks, where the Collector’s report, BKTC’s periodic updates, and submissions of all stakeholders will be considered before a final, permanent management framework is put in place.