The Supreme Court on Friday said that temple funds cannot be used in a manner that enriches private entities or co-operative banks.

The Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi were hearing petitions filed by Mananthavady Urban Co-operative Society Ltd and Thirunelly Service Co-operative Bank Ltd challenging the Kerala High Court directions requiring closure of fixed deposits held by the Thirunelli Sree Mahavishnu Temple and the Sree Thrissilery Shiva Temple.

“Temple money belongs to the deity and not to enrich someone or some cooperative banks. Here it looks like the money has landed in unsafe hands,” CJI Kant remarked.

The petitioners submitted that they were societies established under the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act and have been catering to the financial needs of the local community for several decades.

The petitioners said the deposits have been placed gradually over the years and renewed on maturity.

They also stated that abrupt withdrawal would destabilise their institutions and affect members including Scheduled Tribe families and persons of limited means.

The plea pointed out that the Thirunelly Service Co-operative Bank has been dealing with the Thirunelli Mahavishnu Temple since 1919 and opened an extension counter in 1986 near the temple to facilitate transactions. They also highlighted that substantial portions of the fixed deposits are yet to attain maturity.

The petitioners submitted that the petition before the High Court was politically motivated and filed by a person who had no locus standi.

However, the Bench said that temple money cannot be allowed to enrich private entities or cooperative banks.

The Court eventually granted an extension of three months to repay the fixed deposits.

The plea by the appellants was filed through Advocate on Record Manu Krishnan.

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