1975 Supreme(All) 31
HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
Jagmohan Lal
THAKUR RADHA KRISHNAJI MAHARAJ
Versus
RAM PRASAD PANDEY
Decided On : 22 January 1975
Second Appeal Nos. 199 and 212 of 1968, C. A. No. 101 of 1966
K.N.MISHRA, N.M.TILHARI,
Headnote:
PUBLIC WAQF - DEDICATION - INTERPRETATION OF DEED OF ENDOWMENT - JURISDICTION OF CIVIL COURT - SECTION 92, CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE - PUBLIC RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT - MAINTENANCE OF SCHEME OF MANAGEMENT - APPOINTMENT OF MANAGER - LEGAL PRINCIPLES.
Fact of the Case:
A suit was filed in the court of Civil Judge for framing a scheme of management and appointing a Manager for a temple and its attached property, which was allegedly dedicated as a waqf under a deed of endowment. The defendant contested the suit, arguing that it was a public waqf and not a private waqf, and that the suit should have been filed in the court of the District Judge after complying with the formalities prescribed by Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
Finding of the Court:
The trial court held that it was a private waqf and not a public religious and charitable trust, and decreed the suit for framing a scheme of management without giving any direction regarding the appointment of a Manager. On appeal, the District Judge held that it was a public waqf and dismissed the suit as barred by Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
Issues: 1. Whether the dedication made by the dedicator constituted a public religious and charitable endowment? 2. Whether the suit filed in the court of the Civil Judge without complying with the provisions of Section 92 Code of Civil Procedure was maintainable?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court examined the terms and conditions of the deed of endowment, as well as the evidence on record, and found that the temple was an ordinary public temple, open to all Hindus for worship and participation in religious festivals. 2. The court held that the endowment was for public purposes of charitable and religious nature within the meaning of Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and that the suit should have been filed in the court of the District Judge after complying with the formalities prescribed by Section 92.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the appeals filed by the plaintiff and the defendant, upholding the decision of the District Judge that the suit was barred by Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
2. The suit was contested by defendant No. 2 Ram Prasad Pandey who pleaded inter alia that it was a public waqf and not a private waqf. As such the court of Civil Judge had no jurisdiction to entertain the suit and frame a scheme of management. A suit of this nature ought to have been filed in the court of the District Judge after complying with the formalities prescribed by Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
3. The trial court held that it was a private waqf and not a public religious and charitable trust. The other pleas taken by the contesting defendant were overruled. The suit was decreed and a preliminary decree was passed for framing a scheme of management without giving any direction regarding the appointment of defendant No. 1 or the next friend of the plaintiff as a Manager in that scheme.
4. Against that decision the defendant Ram Prasad filed an appeal in the Court of the District Judge challenging the various findings recorded by the trial court. Another appeal against that decision was filed on behalf of the plaintiff making a grievance that under the scheme to be framed, a direction should have been given by the trial court regarding the appointment of defendant No. 1 Ram Gopal Pandey or the next friend of the plaintiff as Manager and Mutawalli.
5. The learned District Judge holding that that it was a public waqf and as such this suit filed in the court of Civil Judge was barred by Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure, allowed the appeal filed by defendant No. 2 Ram Prasad and dismissed the suit. The other appeal filed on behalf of the plaintiff was consequently dismissed. Against those decisions the present two second appeals have been filed in this Court.
6. The only point that arises for decision of these appeals is whether the dedication made by Sewak Ram Pandey constituted a public religious and charitable endowment and if so whether the suit filed in the court of the Civil Judge without complying with the provisions of Section 92 Code of Civil Procedure was maintainable. 7. A certified copy of the deed of endowment dated July 30, 1906 which was a registered document is on the record vide Ext. 4. The relevant clau