On September 15, 2026, the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the Kerala High Court’s August 2026 decision, allowing execution proceedings to continue in the ongoing Kashi Math Samsthan dispute. The case concerns the recovery of gold, silver ornaments, religious paraphernalia, and other belongings claimed by Kashi Math Samsthan from Raghavendra Tirtha Swami.
A Bench led by Justice Aravind Kumar dismissed a special leave petition filed by Raghavendra Tirtha, who challenged the Kerala High Court’s ruling. He claimed to be the lawful 21st Matadhipati, or head, of the Kashi Math Samsthan, an ancient religious institution governed by established customs.
The Kerala High Court had authorized Kashi Matadhipati Swami Samyamindra Tirtha to proceed with recovering the Math’s religious assets. With the Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene, the High Court may now continue the execution proceedings.
This development is significant for the custodianship and recovery of the Math’s traditional religious properties and marks another legal setback for Raghavendra Tirtha in the dispute over the institution and its assets.
