Andhra Pradesh High Court
Judges : B.SUBHASHAN REDDY, T.RANGA RAO
Panchaiti Akhara Bara Udasin Nirman, Manager, Hanumandas, Guntur - Appellant
Versus
State OF A.P., rep.by its Secretary, endowments Department, Hyderabad - Respondent
Decided On : 11-12-96
Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1966 - Section 77 – Constitution of India - Article 226 - Institutions – Property - Jurisdiction - This writ petition is filed to pre-empt enquiry on ground that since institution of petitioner is registered in State of Uttar Pradesh State of Uttar Pradesh alone has got competence and jurisdiction to deal with matter and to decide as to whether it is Public Endowment or Private endowment – Held, Insofar as legal aspect is concerned authoritative pronouncements of Supreme Court both in Anent Prasad case referred to above is to effect that if Endowments Institution is situated in a particular State but properties are scattered not only in that State but in other States also in India, but Institution which is registered at Headquarters manages said properties even in outside States, then properties in outside states are by legal fiction are treated as appurtenant to institution and State where Institution is located will have jurisdiction for trying disputes under Endowments Act - This legal position being clear facts in instant case are disputed which are very emphatically stated mat am functions at Guntur and that same was set up for of Barrages in State and that one has gifted land to extent of Ac. 87-00 for purpose of management of Madam and that Madam mentioned above called Dais Madam with a temple therein is a separate entity not connected with alleged Institution in Uttar Pradesh as pleaded by petitioner - These disputed facts have got to be resolved by a regular enquiry which is possible under Section 87 of Act and which in fact is pending adjudication – Petition dismissed
( 1 ) THIS writ petition has been filed seeking restraint on further proceedings in the matter arising under Section 77 (l) (d) of the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1966 (Act No. 17 of 1966) (hereinafter referred to as the act ).
( 2 ) ). One Manthri Gangaiah has moved the Deputy Commissioner of endowments, Guntur, second respondent herein by filing O. A. No. 46/1986 under Section 77 (l) (d) of the A. P. Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1966 stating that Udasi Matam (Udasi Matam Swamy temple) is a religious institution situated in old Guntur and that public worship is performed and alms are given to Bairagees and that the said Matam is being managed by Mahant and the property mentioned in the schedule was endowed by Mohd. Badsha in 1150 Fasli for the maintenance and support of the said Matam and that the said grant made by Mohammad Badsha was confirmed by the then Government in the year 1860 and that order to that effect was passed by the Inam Commissioner in T. D. No 27. It is also stated that the schedule lands were given out on lease and the lease amounts were being collected by the Mahant. Some land records were filed and it was alleged that the 4th respondent by name Bommidala Purnaiah has cast his evil eye to knock away the property. The relief claimed in the said O. A. is (i) to declare udasi Matam (Udasi Matam Swamy Temple) situated at Old Guntur as a public Religious Institution and (ii) that an extent of Ac. 87-00 of land in d. Nos. 1166, 1167, 1168,1180, 1181 and 1182 situated at Guntur be declared as attached to the said Matam.
( 3 ) ). This writ petition is filed to pre-empt the enquiry on the ground that since the institution of the petitioner is registered in the State of Uttar Pradesh, the State of Uttar Pradesh alone has got competence and jurisdiction to deal with the matter and to decide as to whether it is Public Endowment or Private endowment. Mr. Ramana Reddy, the learned Senior counsel reiterated the said contention and in support of his contention cited two judgments of the supreme Court in Ananth Prasad Lakshmi Nivas Ganeriwal vs. State of Andhra pradesh and others and State of Bihar and others vs. SM. Charusila Dasf.
( 4 ) ). Mr. V. Tulsi Reddy, the learned Government Pleader submits that the said judgments of the Supreme Court are decided on their own facts and that they relate to other States and that the analogy there is not existing here and that there is dispute which has to be factually resolved and this Court in its extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India cannot invoke the same.
( 5 ) ). The Endowments Act, 1966 in the State of Andhra Pradesh (A. P. Act. No. 17 of 1966) has been repealed and is substituted by the A. P. Act. No. 30 of 1987. Section 77 of the Old Act is akin to Section 87 of the New Act. Under the Old Act, against the decision of Deputy Commissioner, suit was maintainable as of right by the aggrieved party, be it an individual or an institution. But under the 1987 Act, against the order passed by the Deputy commissioner under Section 87, the matter is appealable to the District Court under Section 88. We have perused the savings clause under section 155 and that saves only such proceedings which are not repugnant to the provisions of the Act, 1987. As such when the order is passed under Section 87 by the deputy commissioner, the same is appealable to the District Court under section 88 and one need not resort to the suit, as was the case with the Old act of 1966.
( 6 ) ). If Jurisdictional question is purely based on legal contentions, there is no difficulty in deciding the same in the writ petition without driving the parties for resolution on factual aspects. But it is quite different when the jurisdictional issue is intrinsically linked with the questions of facts and in such a situation, this Court s extraordinary jurisdiction under Articl
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.