Case: SHRI RAM MANDIR INDORE Vs. THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

2. Briefly stated case of the appellant is as follows:- Shri Ram Mandir is a private temple of which Mahant and Manager is Ram Das and that he has been continuing to perform pooja-archana and management of the temple since the time of his guru. Earlier to him, his Guru Shri Shiromani Das Ji and still earlier to him, his ancestor guru used to offer pooja-archana and has been in management of the temple. Case of the appellant is that the temple is the private temple of which succession is by descendance according to the rules of Guru Parampara. The suit property/agricultural land has been allotted for Shri Ram Mandir in Inam and in its name and the land is in possession of Shri Ram Mandir. The temple is a private temple and government has no right in the temple and no aid was given by the Government in the construction, maintenance and repair of the temple. The respondents through an administrative order recorded the name of respondent No.3-District Collector as Manager of the temple without giving any notice to the appellant which is in violation of principles of Natural Justice and contrary to the provisions of law. According to the plaintiff, Shri Ram Mandir is a private temple and the government has no right to interfere in the administration of the temple and the possession and management of the suit lands. On 15.07.1988, respondents No.3 and 4-officers of Madhya Pradesh Government initiated proceedings for leasing out the disputed lands (Revenue Case No.28B/121-87-88) and fixed 06.10.1988 as the date for auction for leasing of the temple properties and the same is without any right. The plaintiff has therefore filed the suit for a declaration that:- (i) Shri Ram Mandir at Indoukh is a private mandir and the State has no right to interfere in the management, pooja-archana and in the possession of the agricultural land; (ii) for grant of permanent injunction restraining the respondent-officials from interfering with the possession of the suit property by the plaintiff3. The respondent-State has filed the written statement contending that Shri Ram Mandir is not a private temple but is a public temple and that the status of the plaintiff is merely of a pujari. The Deity of the temple is owner of agricultural land which has been given by the government for the purpose of performance of pooja-archana etc. and taking proper care and meeting the expenses of the temple. The status of the pujari is like a servant of the temple appointed by the government and he does not acquire any right in the property owned by the Deity of the temple. District Collector, Ujjain was recorded as Manager in the revenue records in 1975-76, in accordance with law. That a Bbu Adhikar and Rina Patrika was issued to the appellant/plaintiff. According to respondents since the management of the temple was not being properly and rightfully done and the income from the land was not being suitably utilised for the betterment of the temple, the State Government decided to auction the land in question so as to have resources and raise income for upkeep of the temple. The appellant himself got this land in 1985-86 on lease for Rs.860/- from the government and in this respect has also signed in the order sheet in Case No.93B/121-85-86. An amount of Rs.600/- was deposited on 31.07.1986 in this account. Thereafter, again in 1986-87 appellant got lease of said land for Rs.860/- out of which he deposited Rs.460/- on 11.11.1987 with the government. The appellant has thus treated the suit property as the property of the temple which is under the control and management of the government. Having agreed to take the same on lease, the appellant/plaintiff cannot turn around and contend that he is in management of the suit property and challenge the control and management of the suit property by the government4. On the above pleadings, relevant issues were framed by the trial court. Upon consideration of oral and documentary evidence, the trial court decreed the suit holding that Shri Ram Mandir is a private temple and not a public temple. The trial court held that the temple was constructed by predecessor of Guru Ram Das and the temple is a private temple of the current Manager Bajrang Das who has succeeded as the Manager according to the Hindu Law. The trial court held that entry of Collector as Manager in the revenue records was without notice to the Manager of the temple and the changes made in the revenue records for a private temple without hearing the Manager of the temple, cannot be sustained. The trial court further held that no evidence has been adduced by the State to establish their plea that the appointment of pujari was done by the State. On those findings, the trial court granted permanent injunction in favour of the appellant/plaintiff by holding that the State has no authority to auction the land vested in the appellant/plaintiff in his capacity as Mahant of the temple and the same is without authority of law5. Being aggrieved, the respondents preferred appeal before the appellate court. The first appellate court allowed the appeal holding that Shri Ram Mandir is a public temple and not a private temple. The appellate court held that all the lands are inam lands of Shri Ram Mandir and that the title in the disputed lands vests in the Deity. The first appellate court further held that the Collector has been rightly recorded as Manager and the status of the pujari is only to perform pooja-archana and he has no further right in the temple. It was held that the possession of the land by the pujari is only on behalf of the Deity/temple and pujari has no right over the suit lands. Upon consideration of oral and documentary evidence, the first appellate court set aside the judgment of the trial court and allowed the appeal by holding that the pujaris of Shri Ram Mandir have been continuing according to the Guru- Shishya tradition of Naga Babas who have no family of their own6. Assailing the correctness of the judgment of the first appellate court, the appellant preferred the second appeal. The High Court affirmed the findings of the first appellate court holding that the suit property is recorded in the name of Deity and Ram Das and Bajrang Das were recorded only as pujaris and the name of pujari kept on changing and these pujaris do not belong to one family and there is no blood relation between those persons. The High Court held that the findings of the first appellate court that Shri Ram Mandir is a public temple is based on the facts and evidence adduced by the parties and no substantial question of law arose for consideration and accordingly, dismissed the second appeal.

Court's reasoning:
11. Even at the outset, it is to be pointed out that the very cause title of the plaint is misleading. The description of the appellant temple Shri Ram Mandir is couched in such a manner as if Shri Ram Mandir is represented by its Manager Ram Das. The respondent-State claims that Shri Ram Mandir is a public temple and Ram Das and then Bajrang Das are only pujaris performing pooja-archana in the temple. It is in this context and the auction conducted by the State for leasing the temple properties, the appellant-plaintiff filed the suit seeking declaration that Shri Ram Mandir is a private temple and permanent injunction restraining the respondents/defendants from interfering with the appellants possession of the temple properties12. Shri Ram Mandir is a public temple:- The onus of proving that the appellant-Shri Ram Mandir falls within the description of private temple is on the appellant who is asserting that the temple is a private temple and that he is the Mahant of the temple. In State of Uttarakhand and another v. Mandir Sri Laxman Sidh Maharaj (2017) 9 SCC 579  , it was held that the necessary material pleadings ought to have been made to show as to how and on what basis, the plaintiff claimed his ownership over such a famous heritage temple and the land surrounding the temple. Thus, in the absence of any pleadings in the plaint that the pujari built the temple, they cannot claim the temple to be a private temple. In the case in hand, plaint lacks pleadings regarding who constructed the temple and how he raised the funds. The name of Gulab Das who allegedly constructed the temple is not mentioned in the plaint. No evidence was adduced by the appellant to show as to how Gulab Das constructed the temple and whether personal funds were used by Gulab Das to establish the temple or whether there was contribution from the public. In his evidence, Bajrang Das (PW-1) has stated that the temple was constructed by Gulab Das. On the other hand, Bheru Lal (PW-2) has stated that the temple was constructed by Sewa Das and Gulab Das. In the absence of pleadings and evidence that the temple was constructed by Gulab Das, the First Appellate Court rightly held that based on the evidence of PW-1, it cannot be held that Shri Ram Mandir is a private temple13. According to the respondent-State, Shri Ram Mandir has always been a part of the list of public temples. In 2013, Madhya Pradesh Government published a Directory containing names of all public temples in District Ujjain updating till 31.12.2012. Shri Ram Mandir is mentioned therein in the List as Entry 135 which clearly shows that the temple has been recognized as a public temple. Though, this document – List of public temples is subsequent to the suit, the entry of Shri Ram Mandir as the public temple in the register is a strong piece of evidence to hold that Shri Ram Mandir is a public temple. Be it noted that Bajrang Das and Ram Das are only shown to be the pujaris14. In Goswami Shri Mahalaxmi Vahuji v. Ranchhoddas Kalidas and others (1969) 2 SCC 853  , the Supreme Court held that the origin of the temple, the manner in which its affairs are managed, the nature and extent of gifts received by it, rights exercised by the devotees in regard to worship therein, are relevant factors to establish whether a temple is a public temple or a private temple. Likewise, as held in Tilkayat Shri Govindlalji Maharaj Etc. v. State of Rajasthan and others [1964] 1 SCR 561  , the participation of the members of the public in the Darshan in the temple and in the daily acts of worship or in the celebrations may be a very important factor to consider in determining the character of the temple. In the present case, the appellant has not adduced any evidence to show that there is restricted participation of the public for darshan15. It is to be pointed out that in the same premises, apart from, Shri Ram Mandir, there is a Ganesh temple which has a different pujari and there is also a Maruthi Mandir. In their evidence, Bheru Lal (PW-2) and Poor Singh (PW-3) have stated that the pooja at Ganesh Mandir is performed by Satyanarayan-brother of Bheru Lal (PW-2). There are thus two different pujaris who perform pooja for two separate idols situated in the same premises and they have been so performing pooja for generations. Contention of PW-1 that no outsider can come and perform pooja and archana in the premises of Shri Ram Mandir was rightly rejected by the first appellate court as the very premises has three Deities16. Another important aspect which indicates the public character of the temple is that there is no blood-relationship between the successive pujaris. In the present case, no evidence has been adduced to show that the temple belonged to one family and that there was blood-relations between the successive pujaris. If the temple was a private temple, the succession would have been hereditary and would be governed by the principles of Hindu succession i.e. by blood, marriage and adoption. In the case in hand, succession is admittedly governed by Guru-shishya relationship. Each pujari is not having blood relation with his predecessor pujari. When the pujariship is not hereditary, as rightly held by the High Court, Shri Ram Mandir cannot be held to be a private temple17. PW-1 has admitted that the pujaris have been continuing according to Guru-shishya tradition of Naga Babas. Admittedly, Naga Babas followed different tradition from family persons i.e. they followed the tradition that during the period of management of the temple, they did not have any grihashtha-household life. Admittedly, the tradition of Naga Babas of not having a household life has been broken by Bajrang Das (PW-1). In his evidence, PW-1 admitted that the temple is a seat of Nagas; but he is a married person and a householder. The first appellate court has rightly held that the temple established by Naga Babas cannot be treated as a private temple as there was no interest of a particular person in the temple18. Even the appointment of Bajrang Das (PW-1) as pujari of Shri Ram Mandir was done by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Tehsil Mahidpur, on the application filed by Bajrang Das. In his application before the Sub-Divisional Officer, Tehsil Mahidpur, Bajrang Das (PW-1) stated that Guru Ram Das is aged about eighty years and suffering from paralysis and Bajrang Das has been performing the pooja since last ten years and therefore, prayed for entering him as pujari of Shri Ram Mandir. Ram Das had also given statement before the Sub-Divisional Officer stating that he is suffering from the ailment of paralysis and that he is not in a position to continue the work of pujari and that Bajrang Das may be appointed as pujari. The said application was registered as 10/98-99 Pujari Nomination and after calling for objection from the public, Sub-Divisional Officer, Tehsil Mahidpur had passed a detailed order on 01.06.1999 appointing Bajrang Das as the pujari of Shri Ram Mandir. In the said order of Sub-Divisional Officer dated 01.06.1999, it is made clear that the Collector is the administrator in respect of lands entered in the name of Shri Ram Mandir situated in villages Indokh, Mundla Sodhya, Pipaliya Bhooma, Rajdhani and Bolkheda Dhar. The said order contains the Khata numbers of the lands and the extent of the lands. The Sub-Divisional Officer had passed further order dated 08.06.1999 mutating the name of Ram Das and entering the name of Bajrang Das as pujari. Ex.-D4 and Ex.-D5 – statements of Bajrang Das and Ram Das and the order passed by the Sub-Divisional Officer clearly show that Shri Ram Mandir is a public temple and that the Mandir and the properties are under the control and administration of the State through District Collector. Having been appointed the pujari of the temple by the Government, Bajrang Das and Ram Das are estopped from contending that Shri Ram Mandir is a private temple. Considering the evidence and the fact that Bajrang Das himself has been appointed as pujari by the State, the first appellate court and the High Court rightly held that Shri Ram Mandir is a public temple. We found no ground to interfere with the said concurrent findingReferring to Ex.-P20, the first appellate court held that the land was bestowed on the temple for Nevaidya etc. There is nothing to indicate that Gulab Das has established the temple from out of his personal funds and that he has become Inamdar of the property21. The First Appellate Court referred to various documents in particular pattas and held that all the lands have been given to Shri Ram Mandir Devsthan by way of Inam. The number of documents produced by the appellant clearly show that the lands are Inam lands of Shri Ram Mandir and that the status of Ram Das and Bajrang Das were only pujaris. In number of other documents also, Shri Ram Mandir is recorded as Bhumiswami for the suit property and the names of specific individuals are recorded only as pujaris. In the light of various documents and the formidable entries made thereon, there is no merit in the contention of the appellant that they have become Mahant of Shri Ram Mandir and that they are entitled to manage the affairs of the temple and the Mandirs properties23. The Collector was recorded as Manager for the lands of Shri Ram Mandir since the year 1975 and the same was not challenged. According to the respondent-State, the entry of the name of the District Collector as Manager of the temple properties dated 12.04.1974 has been done to curb the mismanagement of the temple properties at the hands of the pujaris. The learned counsel appearing for the State submitted that the circular dated 12.04.1974 was upheld by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh in Sadashiv Giri and others v. Commissioner, Ujjain and others 1985 RN 371 insofar as it applied to public temples24. The First Appellate Court has referred to the order of the High Court in LPA No.36/94 (27.07.1995) in and by which the High Court has directed to cancel the executive orders dated 18.11.1992 by which the names of the priests were removed from revenue records. As pointed out by the First Appellate Court, pendency of such matters would not in any way affect the rights of Deity of Shri Ram Mandir in the suit properties as Shri Ram Mandir has been recorded as Bhumiswami for the suit properties. As discussed earlier, appellant Ram Bali Das was continued to be recorded only as pujari of Shri Ram Mandir. As discussed infra, on the application filed by pujari Ram Das, Bajrang Das has been appointed as pujari by SDO25. Plaintiff Ram Das himself got the land in the year 1985-86 on lease for Rs.860/- from the Government and in this respect, he has signed on the order sheet in case No.93B/121-85-86. An amount of Rs.600/- was deposited on 31.07.1986. Thereafter, in the year 1986-87, pujari Ram Das got the lease renewed for one year at Rs.860/- out of which he has deposited Rs.460/- on 11.11.1987 for which a receipt has been issued to pujari Ram Das. The fact that the appellant having taken the Mandir lands on lease from the Government clearly shows that the properties were never owned by the pujaris in their individual capacity. Having taken the Mandir property on lease from the Government, the appellant is estopped from denying that the temple properties are under the management and control of the Government. The suit lands have been given in the name of Shri Ram Mandir and few other lands in the name of Ganesh Mandir for the arrangement of pooja, archana, naivedya, etc. for the public temple and the pujari has no right to interfere in the management of these lands as his status is only that of pujari26. The finding of the first appellate court and the High Court that Shri Ram Mandir is a public temple and not a private one is based upon the appreciation of oral and documentary evidence. Bajrang Das (PW-1) himself has been appointed as pujari by the Government and the appellant/plaintiff has not adduced any evidence showing that the temple belonged to one particular family. By oral and documentary evidence, it is clearly established that the suit lands are recorded in the name of Shri Ram Mandir.