Dr. Devi Prasad Dwivedi vs Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust: Allahabad HC Restores Acharya’s Role

The Allahabad High Court has quashed the 25-year-old termination of Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awardee and Sanskrit scholar Dr. Devi Prasad Dwivedi from his duties as Acharya at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.

The bench of Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery held that Dr. Dwivedi’s removal in July 2000, and the subsequent decision of the temple trust in 2023 to discontinue his services due to age, were both factually and legally flawed.

Court observed that the post of Acharya, entrusted with performing the nightly Shringar-Bhog Aarti, is not that of a salaried temple employee but a traditional, spiritual responsibility.

Dr. Dwivedi was appointed in 1994 with the approval of the then chairman of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust to conduct the midnight rituals after the demise of the earlier priest. Initially engaged for a year, his tenure was extended for three years, with the Trust recording appreciation for his devotion and expanding his role to include training other priests.

However, in 2000, his services were abruptly declared terminated by the Chief Executive Officer on the ground that his appointment had expired in 1998. The termination followed a complaint, allegedly instigated by a senior official after a disagreement with Dr. Dwivedi over a special ritual that disrupted devotees’ access to the sanctum.

Challenging this, Dr. Dwivedi approached the High Court, which stayed the termination in August 2002, allowing him to continue performing his duties. Over the next two decades, he gained national recognition, receiving the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan and serving as a member of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission.

Despite the stay, the Trust passed a fresh resolution in February 2023 stating that since Dr. Dwivedi was above 60 years of age, he could no longer be retained or paid an honorarium. He moved a contempt plea, arguing that this action violated the subsisting court order.

Hearing the matter, the High Court held that both the 2000 and 2023 decisions were unsustainable and motivated by bias. The Acharya’s role cannot be compared to that of a temple employee governed by service rules. It is a traditional duty, born out of devotion and recognized by the temple’s own records, the court observed.

While reinstating Dr. Dwivedi’s right to perform the Shringar-Bhog Aarti, court clarified that he would not receive any remuneration. It also permitted him to perform the rituals three days a week i.e. Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and allowed him to appoint one trained assistant for the ceremonies. Court directed the Trust to facilitate smooth conduct of the Aarti and ensure respect and dignity for Dr. Dwivedi.

Case Title: Dr. Devi Prasad Dwivedi Vs. Chief Executive Officer And Others

Order Date: September 24, 2025

Bench: Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery