SC raps Goswamis over repeated pleas in Banke Bihari Temple dispute case 

• Three-judge bench warns  against repeatedly raising same matter
• SC: Repeatedly raising same issue is abuse of process, may invite contempt
• Bench slams parties for courtroom tactics, says: ‘This must stop’
• State government argues Goswami side has already tried to transfer the case to another bench earlier

New Delhi News: During the hearing of the Shri Banke Bihari Temple management dispute in Vrindavan, on Wednesday, the Supreme Court sternly reprimanded lawyers representing the Goswami family for repeatedly raising the same issue. The three-judge bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, and Justice K. Vinod Chandran said such actions amounted to misuse of the judicial process and warned that contempt proceedings would follow if it happened again. 

Senior advocates Naveen Pahwa and K. Natarajan, appearing for the state, informed the court that the Goswami side had earlier sought to transfer the case from Justice Satish Chandra Sharma’s bench. When they again raised a dismissed issue, the Supreme Court expressed sharp disapproval, calling the repetition a violation of judicial procedure. In a stern warning, the bench said, ‘You cannot do this. Stop playing such games and tactics.’ 

The bench also warned that if such a situation arises again and the case is deliberately presented before another bench, contempt proceedings could be initiated against the concerned lawyer. The court’s sharp response left the Goswami family’s lawyers visibly uncomfortable. The Supreme Court reiterated that it would not tolerate procedural abuse or manipulation of the judicial process and warned of serious action if such attempts are made in the future. 

Chief Justice B.R. Gavai even ordered the initiation of contempt proceedings against advocate Shivansh Pandya, a junior colleague of Kapil Sibal. However, Justice Satish Chandra Sharma exercised leniency and chose not to pursue the matter further.

The case pertains to the historic Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, where a long-running dispute over rights and management continues between the Goswami family and the Uttar Pradesh government. On July 27, the Goswamis moved the Supreme Court challenging a government ordinance establishing a temple management committee, formed just days earlier.

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