In a significant development,the Supreme Court bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and K. Vinod Chandran dismissed a plea seeking exclusive Buddhist control over the historic world UNESCO heritage site “Mahabodhi Temple” in Bodh Gaya,while granting the petitioner liberty to approach the High Court instead.

The petition filed by former minister and advocate Sulekha Kumbhare,had challenged the Bodh Gaya Temple Act,1949 which currently provides for a mixed management committee of Hindus and Buddhists,with the District Magistrate of Gaya as its chairperson.

Kumbhare alleged that the existing structure violated the constitutional rights of the Buddhist Community.

The temple,believed to be the site of the Lord Buddha’s enlightenment,has recently seen protests and hunger strikes demanding full Buddhist control bringing renewed national attention to the issue.

While the apex court declined to intervene further under Article 32 of the Constitution,it left the door open for the legal recourse before the appropriate High Court.

Case Details: SULEKHATAI NALINITAI NARAYANRAO KUMBHARE Vs THE UNION OF INDIA| D No. 19102/2025