Supreme Court Rules Temple Funds Cannot Enrich Cooperative Banks

The Supreme Court held that temple funds cannot be used to benefit private entities or cooperative banks.

The Bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing petitions by Mananthavady Urban Co-operative Society Ltd and Thirunelly Service Co-operative Bank Ltd challenging Kerala High Court directions to close fixed deposits of Thirunelli Sree Mahavishnu Temple and Sree Thrissilery Shiva Temple.

The Court observed that temple money belongs to the deity and cannot be allowed in unsafe hands.

While rejecting misuse of temple funds, the Court granted the banks a three-month extension to repay the fixed deposits.

[Mananthavady Urban Co-operative Society Ltd v. State]