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1997 Supreme(All) 481

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
S. K. PHAUJDAR
SRI SATNARAYAN JI MAHARAJ VIRAJMAN MANDIR SAT NARAYAN DHARAMSHALA - Appellant
Versus
RAJENDRA PRASAD AGGARWAL - Respondents
F. A. F. O. 685 Of 1996
Decided On : 04/30/1997

Advocates Appeared:
K.N.Garg, S.N.SRIVASTAVA

To establish a public trust under Section 92 CPC, the plaintiffs must prove the existence of a trust created for public purposes of a charitable or religious nature, with the general public or a class thereof as beneficiaries.

Headnote:

PUBLIC TRUST - SECTION 92 CPC - ORDER 1 RULE 8 CPC - SECTION 151 CPC - SUIT FOR RELIEF COVERED BY SECTION 92 CPC - LEAVE OF THE COURT - PUBLIC TRUST - DISTINCTION BETWEEN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC TRUST - RELIGIOUS ENDOWMENT - BENEFICIARIES - INTENTION OF THE FOUNDER - REPRESENTATIVE SUIT - PLAINT ALLEGATIONS - CREATION OF ENDOWMENT - PRIVATE PROPERTY - ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC - AFFIDAVIT - ORAL EVIDENCE.

Fact of the Case:

Plaintiffs filed an application under Section 92 CPC read with Order 1 Rule 8 and Section 151 CPC seeking leave to institute a suit for relief covered by Section 92 CPC, alleging that the property in question was a public trust and a suit for relief could be filed only after obtaining leave of the court. The respondents contested the application, asserting that the trust was a private trust and that the western land had no concern with the temple.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the plaintiffs failed to prove that the suit property was not partitioned between the three brothers, Bhagwati, Ram Raksha Pal, and Jagdish. It concluded that the western portion did not belong to the public trust and dismissed the application.

Issues: 1. Whether the property in question constituted a trust for public purposes of a charitable or religious nature? 2. Whether the plaintiffs had adduced sufficient evidence to prove the existence of a public trust?

Ratio Decidendi: 1. A trust must be created for public purposes of a charitable or religious nature to fall under Section 92 CPC. 2. The distinction between a private and public trust lies in the beneficiaries: specific individuals in a private trust and the general public or a class thereof in a public trust. 3. The intention of the founder determines whether an endowment is private or public. 4. The plaintiffs failed to provide evidence of endowment or dedication of the property to any deity or specific segment of society. 5. The property remained private, despite the owners' magnanimity in allowing public access for certain purposes.

Final Decision: The court dismissed the appeal, upholding the trial court's order rejecting the plaintiffs' application for leave to institute a suit under Section 92 CPC.

S. K. PHAUJDAR, J.


( 1 ) THIS first appeal from order is directed against an order dated 27-31996, followed by a formal order dated 17-41996 recorded by the IInd Addl. Distt. Judge. Bijnaur, in Misc. Cafe No. 113 of 1990 under Section 92, CPC rejecting the prayer of the appellants for leave to institute a suit of the nature spoken of under Section 92, CPC. The application in question was filed by the present appellants under Section 92, CPC read with Order 1, Rule 8 and Section 151 CPC. It was stated that the property indicated in the plaint stood vested in the Almighty and the temple and other properties of the deity formed a public trust and a suit for relief covered by Section 92. CPC could be filed only after obtaining leave of the court.

( 2 ) IN the application before the court below it was stated that Sahu Chhajmal Das was a renowned Zamindar of religious bend of mind and for the religious Hindus in general he had set up a temple of Satayanarayan Ji Maharaj more than 100 years ago. A deity was installed in the temple. The people used to assemble there for worship. The Zamindar also sank a well and also set up a dharamshalla for the benefit of the followers of Hindu religion. All the properties were dedicated to the deity in general for observance of Hindu festivities in the temple. During his life time Sahu Chhajmaldas used to run the administration of the temple and the dharamshala and all the internal and external properties with the help of the general Hindu Public of the locality. Pilgrims used to come and stay in the dharamshala and warship in the temple and used to offer bhajans and sang kirtans connected with Hindu religion. After the death of Sahu Chhajmal Das, the properties came under the management of his son Har Prasad, who also continued the line of management of his father. He established the image of Hanumanji, extended the dharamshala for proper accommodation of pilgrims and subsequently the property and the temple became famous with the name of. Hari Prasad. The applicants asserted that the temple, Dharamshala and other properties vested completely in the Almighty for the general benefit of the followers of the Hindu religion. Har Prasad had three sons, namely, Bhagwati, Jagdish and Ram Raksha Pal. Bhagwati has also died. Respondent Rajendra Prasad was his son. Ram Raksha Pal has also died. Respondent Sunil Kumar is his son. Respondent Shakuntala Devi is the widow of Ram Raksha Pal. Jagdish Prasad left behind no heir. After the death of Har Prasad his eldest son Bhagwati managed the property in question through the help of Hindu Public. For proper maintenance of the property, he entrusted management of the western portion of the same to his younger brother, Ram Rakshpal. Bhagwati Prasad and Ram Raksha Pal and son and wife of Ram Raksha Pal considered the property as that of the deity and they had no authority to make any change in the property. The temple and the dharamshala became so famous that it found mention in the railway time table. municipal records. the district gazetter of Binjour etc. as the mandir and dharamshala of Satayanarain Ji Maharaj. It was asserted that the property constitutes a trust of public nature and allegations were made regarding actions by the respondents against the interest of the trust.

( 3 ) THE impugned order indicates that the respondent contested the application and raised an objection. It was alleged by the respondents before the court below that the plaintiffs had filed the application with a view to make illegal benefit and illegal possession on the land of jain Samaj. The trust in question was described as a private trust and that related only to the temple. The western land had no concern with the temple which was a school where other social activities were also conducted. The plaintiffs had no oral or documentary evidence to support their case. The will in question was a family affair and in the will also there was a reference of a single storied building on the










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