UP: Allahabad HC Bench Demands Video Footage To Assess Impact Of Banke Bihari Temple Corridor, Hearing To Continue

The hearing in the case of the construction of the Banke Bihari temple corridor in Mathura's Vrindavan has been adjourned in the Allahabad High Court. It will now resume this evening at 4 PM.

During Tuesday's hearing, the temple priests, representing the respondents, argued that the PIL was not maintainable. However, the division bench, consisting of Chief Justice Pritinker Diwakar and Justice Ashutosh Srivastava, instructed them to address the court on the case's merits and adjourned the hearing to Wednesday.

The bench also requested the petitioners provide video footage of the main entrance of the temple, along with other nearby temples, to assess the impact of the construction, Dainik Jagran reported.

The plea was filed by Anand Sharma and another individual from Mathura, alleging that the state government's construction of the Banke Bihari temple corridor would result in the demolition of several ancient temples.

Furthermore, it was argued that this construction would alter the status and structure of two temples and Kunj Gali in Vrindavan, contending that, according to the Places of Worship Act, temples should not be demolished.

Previously, the court had been informed that the state government planned to construct a corridor by acquiring 5 acres of land adjacent to the Banke Bihari temple to provide facilities for pilgrims. In response, the court had asked the state government to clarify its position regarding the management of pilgrims visiting the temple.