Petition challenging use of Temple Land for Vijayawada Utsav dismissed: Supreme Court

On Monday (September 22, 2025), the Supreme Court (SC) of India dismissed a petition filed for using the Temple land for Vijayawada Utsav, which tends to be a mega carnival done during Dussehra showcasing the culture and tradition of the place. The petition was filed by Buragadda Sujay Kumar and two others, who contended that the land belongs to the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple located in Godugupeta and that using the land for commercial purposes was illegal.

The High Court (HC) earlier informed the NTR district administration and the endowment department not to proceed with using the land. Later, the order of the Single Judge was stayed by the High Court Bench, and ruled in favour of the Utsav organizers. This made the petitioners move to the Supreme Court. The Petitioners argued that the Land belongs to the temple and is marked as Agricultural land. Using it for a non-religious purpose or commercial use is not permissible. 

The SC Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra asked the petitioners how they are connected to the temple and how they are affected by the usage of land for the Utsav. The senior counsel for the state, B. Adhinarayana Rao, then clarified that the petitioners have no connection with the land and that the act is politically motivated. Then, it was informed that the temple land had been leased with the consent of the management, to a private person, after which the land was taken by the society for 56 days after paying Rs. 45 Lakhs as rent. The land after the usage was given back to the management in its original condition. 

Reviewing the arguments, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition, stating that it is the responsibility of the Temple management and the State Government to lease the land. It further said that no material evidence was available to intervene with the order of the HC; therefore, the petition was dismissed.