Bihar Temple Trustees to be Appointed on District Magistrate’s Recommendation

Patna: The Patna High Court has ruled that the trustees of monasteries and temples in Bihar will now be appointed only on the recommendation of the District Magistrate (DM). This decision came after a single bench of Justice Rajiv Roy heard a writ petition filed by Prahlad Kumar Yadav and others regarding the management of the Badi Devi temple in Marufganj, Patna.

The court expressed dissatisfaction with the Bihar State Religious Trust Board, criticizing the board for appointing individuals with criminal backgrounds as trustees, thereby tarnishing the reputation of religious institutions. The current management committee of the Badi Devi temple has been ordered to dissolve, and a new committee will be formed under the guidance of the DM and the board.

The court also instructed that advertisements should be published by the state government to invite applicants for temple trust positions. The DM and Sub-Divisional Officer will investigate the criminal records of applicants before making recommendations to the Religious Trust Board for final appointments.