The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday directed the Collector of Haridwar to conduct a thorough inquiry into the functioning of the Chandi Devi Temple Trust, following concerns over transparency and administrative irregularities.
Court’s Direction The apex court issued the directive while hearing a plea related to the management of temple affairs. It instructed the district administration to closely examine the financial practices, governance structure, and overall management of the trust and to submit a detailed report at the earliest.
Why the Probe Matters The Chandi Devi temple, perched on the Neel Parvat hill in Haridwar, is one of Uttarakhand’s most prominent shrines, drawing lakhs of pilgrims every year. Given its religious and economic significance, questions over accountability in the temple trust’s functioning have gained wider attention.
Role of the Collector By assigning the inquiry to the Collector, the Supreme Court has ensured that the review will be carried out at the highest district level. Officials said the probe will not only cover financial records but also administrative decision-making processes within the trust.
Next Steps The court has asked for a status report on the findings before the next hearing. Depending on the outcome, further directions may be issued to strengthen oversight and improve transparency in temple trust management.
