1 week ago
Indore High Court Resolves 72-Year Ram Mandir Management Dispute
The court decided who owns and manages an old Shree Ram temple in Khachrod.
It said that Shree Ram, the deity, is the legal owner of the temple and its belongings.
The government will continue managing the temple through its Revenue Department.
Ratandas was recognised as the temple’s properly appointed priest.
He can perform religious duties there.
However, he cannot stop members of the Maheshwari community from visiting the temple.
The dispute started with a court case filed in 1954.
The case took many years and was sent back for a new decision in 2020.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court declared Shree Ram the absolute owner of the Khachrod temple and its properties.
The temple will remain under State management through the Revenue Department, formerly the Auqaf Department.
The court recognised Ratandas as the duly appointed Pujari, entitled to perform priestly duties.
The ruling rejected Ratandas’ request to bar Maheshwari community members, recognising them as devotees.
The case began with a 1954 suit, reached the Supreme Court, and was remanded for reconsideration in 2020.
- Who
- The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Ratandas, the State, and the Maheshwari community were involved.
- What
- The court resolved a dispute over ownership, management, priestly duties, and property connected with Shree Ram Mandir.
- Where
- Shree Ram Mandir at Ramolla in Khachrod, Ujjain district, Madhya Pradesh.
- When
- Justice Vinay Saraf pronounced the judgment on a Tuesday; the original suit was filed in 1954 and the Supreme Court remanded the case in 2020.
- Why
- The dispute concerned who controlled the temple, its properties, and the appointment and rights of its priest.
Ratandas and Ramanand Sect Claims
State and Maheshwari Community Position
Temple management
Ratandas and Ramanand Sect Claims
Ratandas sought the right to manage the temple and its properties, claiming traditional Ramanand sect practices supported his position.
State and Maheshwari Community Position
The State and Maheshwari community argued that the temple belonged to the community and that Ratandas was only a priest appointed under Auqaf administration.
Priestly authority
Ratandas and Ramanand Sect Claims
Ratandas claimed recognition as Mahant and priest based on the Bhekh ceremony and traditional selection practices.
State and Maheshwari Community Position
The State maintained that the Auqaf authorities had the power to appoint the priest and had previously withdrawn Ratandas’ charge after community objections.
Maheshwari community’s role
Ratandas and Ramanand Sect Claims
Ratandas sought an injunction against alleged interference by Maheshwari community members.
State and Maheshwari Community Position
The court declined the injunction, holding that Maheshwari members are devotees and may continue participating as such.
Key facts
- Court
- Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court
- Judge
- Justice Vinay Saraf
- Deity’s status
- Shree Ram was declared the absolute owner of the temple and its movable and immovable properties.
- Management
- The temple will remain under State management through the Revenue Department.
- Priest
- Ratandas was recognised as the duly appointed Pujari and may perform priestly duties.
- Community access
- The Maheshwari community may continue visiting as devotees.
- Case history
- The original civil suit was filed in 1954; the first appeal was filed in 1968, and the Supreme Court remanded the matter in 2020.
Sources
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