2019 Supreme(MP) 183

S.C. Sharma and Virender Singh, JJ.
Surendra Singh v. Sagar Bai and others,
Writ Appeal No. 1795 of 2018 (Indore); against order dated 31.10.2018 passed in W.P. No. 3428/2017; Decided on 3.7.2019.

Headnote:

(1) Temple -- Lands attached to temple -- property was dedicated to deity -- deity is perpetual minor -- manager of temple has no right to transfer such land -- land transferred by manager -- sale is void.

Held: The undisputed facts as established from the record makes it very clear that the temples in question and the lands attached to the temple were recorded in the revenue records in the name of Mandir Shri Girdharnath Ji and respondent No. 4 is the Manager. It is not a case where the land is recorded in the name of respondent No. 4 or her ancestors showing existence of a temple. The property in question was dedicated to the deity and the deity is perpetual minor and by no stretch of imagination, the property could have been sold by sale deed as the deity is the title holder of the property. 2009 RN 347 (HC), 2016(2) RN 170 (HC), 2016 SCC On Line Cal. 4476, (2007)7 SCC 482 and 2008 SCC On Line Raj. 839 referred to.

(2) Land Revenue Code, 1959 (M.P.) -- Ss. 109 and 110 -- entitlement of mutation -- land belonging to deity -- sold by Manager of temple -- sale is void -- purchaser not entitled for mutation -- mutation order passed by Gram Panchayat on basic of such sale deed -- is bad in law -- set aside by revenue authorities -- no interference called for.

Held: The deity is a perpetual minor and rights of the deity are to be protected by the Courts, no sale of land could have taken place in the manner and method it has been done and, therefore, the subsequent resolution passed by the Gram Panchayat for mutation of name is bad in law.

The respondent No. 4 is simply a Manager and not the title holder. The title holder is Mandir Shri Girdharnath Ji (the deity) and, therefore, this Court is of the considered opinion that the order passed by the revenue authorities does not warrant any interference.

(3) Sale -- Validity -- land belonging to deity -- sale by Manager of temple -- is void -- mutation order by Gram Panchayat on basis of such sale deed -- cannot be sustained -- set aside by revenue authorities. [Paras 10 to 16

(4) Uchch Nyayalaya (Khand Nyayapeeth ko Appeal) Adhiniyam, 2005 (M.P.) -- S. 2 (1) -- when interference may be made -- land belonging to deity -- dedicated to deity -- deity is juristic person holding title -- sale of such land by Manager of temple -- is void -- mutation order passed by Gram Panchayat on basis of such sale deed -- set aside by revenue authorities -- sale and mutation made by Gram Panchayat upheld by writ Court -- property belonging to deity cannot be transferred by Manager of temple -- order of writ Court set aside. [Paras 15 & 16

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