The Supreme Court of India ruled that state authorities have no legal competency or ownership rights to accept gift deeds or alienate properties belonging to public temples for administrative or government projects.

Government as Custodian, Not Owner

A Bench comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe emphasized that temple properties vest in the deity itself, and the government or administrative department functions purely in a fiduciary capacity as a custodian.

Key Observations and Legal Principles

  • Fiduciary Obligations: Trustees and state administrative bodies cannot treat temple lands as state property or accept gifts transferring them into government ownership.
  • Protection Against Alienation: Any attempt to gift, transfer, or divert endowments away from the direct spiritual and maintenance needs of the temple violates statutory trust bounds under the HR&CE Act.

The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, setting aside illegal administrative transfers regarding temple properties.