Judgment

THAKKAR, J.:- More often than not detriment to what belongs to many collectively, does not cause pangs to any, for no one is personally hurt directly. That is why public officials and public minded citizens entrusted with the care of public property have to show exemplary vigilance. What is true of public property is equally true of property belonging to religious or charitable institutions or endowments. The facts of the present case involving the sale of lands which have been sanctioned to be sold for about Rs. 20 lakhs by private negotiations, instead of by public auction, which the appellants are prepared to purchase for about Rs. 80 lakhs, illustrate this point in a telling manner. Background : The legality and validity of a Government Order according permission to "Bugga Math", Tirupathi, a religious endowment, in exercise of powers under proviso to cl. (c) of sub-sec. (1) of S. 74 of Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act. 1966 (Act) to sell certain lands belonging to the Math by private negotiations to Respondents 5 to 24, at the price of Rs. 62,500 per acre has been questioned by the Appellants. The impugned order, in so far a