Supreme Court Dismisses PIL for Minimum Wages for Priests in State-Controlled Temples

The Supreme Court declined to entertain a public interest litigation petition seeking a judicial commission to review wages and service conditions for priests and staff at state-controlled temples.

The Bench permitted the petitioner to withdraw the plea to approach relevant authorities instead, while verbally remarking against judicial interference in the earnings of temple priests.

The petitioner argued that state administrative control over temples creates an employer-employee relationship, triggering labor welfare obligations under the Code on Wages, 2019.

The plea further contended that the lack of structured, fair wages violates fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

[Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay v. UOI & Ors]