Archive · 5 Dec 2025
SC Rules Temple Funds Belong to Deity
The Supreme Court of India said that money from a temple cannot be used to help banks that are in financial trouble.
The court was hearing a case where some cooperative banks were asked by a lower court to return money they owed to a temple.
The banks didn't want to return the money because they were having financial problems.
But the Supreme Court said the temple's money belongs to the deity and should be used only for the temple, not to save banks.
The court also said the banks need to be more trustworthy and attract more customers.
The Supreme Court did not change the lower court's order but allowed the banks to ask for more time to return the money.
The Supreme Court ruled that temple funds belong to the deity and cannot be used to save cooperative banks.
The court was hearing appeals from cooperative banks challenging a Kerala High Court order to return deposits to the Thirunelly Temple Devaswom.
The High Court had directed five cooperative banks to return the temple's fixed deposits within two months.
The Supreme Court refused to entertain the banks' pleas but allowed them to seek an extension from the High Court.
The case arose from the temple's plea after banks refused to repay matured fixed deposits.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, Thirunelly Temple Devaswom, Cooperative Banks
- What
- Supreme Court ruled that temple funds belong to the deity and cannot be used to save cooperative banks
- When
- December 5, 2025
- Where
- India
- Why
- To protect temple funds and ensure they are used for the temple's interests
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi
- Temple
- Thirunelly Temple Devaswom
- Banks Involved
- Mananthawady Co-operative Urban Society Ltd, Thirunelly Service Cooperative Bank Ltd, Susheela Gopalan Smaraka Vanitha Cooperative Society Ltd, Mananthawady Cooperative Rural Society Ltd, Wayanad Temple Employees Cooperative Society Ltd
- High Court Order
- Return deposits within two months
- Supreme Court Decision
- Refused to entertain pleas, allowed banks to seek extension from High Court
Sources
Temple money belongs to deity, cannot be used to save cooperative banks: SC
Temple money cannot become source of income or survival for cooperative bank, says Supreme Court
Supreme Court says temple money belongs to deity and can’t be used to save falling banks
