'Spare Temples': Uttarakhand HC On Live-In Relationship, Molestation Allegations Against Head Priest

Last Updated:February 18, 2026, 21:30 IST

Justice Rakesh Thapliyal of the Uttarakhand High Court expressed alarm over rising criminal cases against people involved in temple management and instructed surprise checks.

The Uttarakhand High Court on Wednesday expressed alarm regarding criminal charges against the head priest of Maa Chandi Devi Temple in Haridwar, including allegations of a live-in relationship with a woman and molestation.

While hearing a batch of petitions regarding the case, Justice Rakesh Thapliyal observed that such criminal cases related to individuals in the temple management were on the rise and instructed the Collector to conduct surprise inspections of temples and ashrams.

“If this is happening in ashrams and temples, it is an alarming situation," the judge said, adding that the religious sentiments of people were getting hurt due to such activities.

“If such things are happening in a temple – the head priest there is going through divorce proceedings, is in a live-in relationship, has even had a child from that relationship, and on top of that has been taken away by the Punjab Police on molestation charges," Justice Thapliyal said.

He further emphasised that at least such religious places should be saved from such activities. “Is any place left anymore? At least leave alone the places that are temples, mosques and gurdwaras. At least spare those. But even those are not spared, indulgence and misconduct are going on there," he added.

The case pertains to a complaint lodged by the wife of Mahant Rohit Giri of the Maa Chandi Devi Temple. As per the complaint, Rohit Giri introduced Reena Bisht, an acquaintance of his wife’s elder sister, to his wife in 2021

However, the complainant discovered a diary in Rohit Giri’s handwriting, revealing a fixed deposit of Rs 5.5 lakh established in Reena Bisht’s name. Upon confrontation, it was revealed that the head priest shared a physical relationship with Bisht and a daughter was born from the “illicit relationship".

The priest was arrested in May 2025 by the Punjab Police in connection with a molestation case.

Last year, the court took serious note of the allegations against Mahant Rohit Giri and observed that there was a complete mismanagement of the temple trust. It directed the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) to oversee the functioning of the existing temple trust.

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