- Receiver should be well versed in shastras and Vedas
- People from district administration should be kept away from management and control of the temples
2024.08.31 (Vrindavan Today News): The High Court of Uttar Pradesh has expressed concern over the prolonged pendency of cases related to temples, stating that lawyers and individuals associated with district administration should be kept away from the management and control of temples. The Allahabad High Court made these observations during the hearing of a contempt petition regarding the appointment of a ‘receiver’ in a dispute related to a temple in Mathura. It was informed that 197 civil cases related to temples are pending in Mathura.
While disposing of the contempt petition filed by Devendra Kumar Sharma and another individual from Mathura district, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal remarked, “If the management and operation of temples and charitable trusts are not handled by those connected to the religious community but by outsiders, people’s faith will diminish. Such actions should be prevented from the outset.” The court stated, “The time has come to free all these temples from the clutches of lawyers practicing in Mathura, and courts should appoint a ‘receiver’ only when necessary. The appointed ‘receiver’ should be connected to temple management and should have some inclination towards the deity.”
The High Court emphasized, “The appointed ‘receiver’ should have a good knowledge of the Vedas and scriptures. Lawyers and those associated with district administration should be kept away from the management and operation of these ancient temples. The case related to this temple should be resolved as quickly as possible. Cases should not be dragged on for decades.”
The court expressed strong displeasure over the current practice of appointing lawyers from Mathura as ‘receivers’ for managing these temples and said that this practice often prolongs the litigation process. The court stated, “In these renowned temples of Vrindavan, Govardhan, and Barsana, lawyers from Mathura have been appointed as ‘receivers.’ Keeping the case pending serves the interests of the ‘receiver.’ No efforts are made to resolve the case, as the ‘receiver’ holds complete control over the temple administration. Most of these cases are related to the management of temples and the appointment of a ‘receiver.'”
The court further added, “A practicing lawyer cannot dedicate the necessary time for proper temple management and is not committed to it. Such appointments have become a symbol of prestige rather than a solution to the problem.” The court, considering the facts and circumstances of the case, requested the District Judge of Mathura to personally take the effort and inform his officials about this order. It also urged them to make every effort to resolve the civil cases related to temples and trusts in Mathura district as soon as possible. In its decision on 27 August, the court remarked, “Prolonging the case will only create further disputes, indirectly allowing the continued involvement of lawyers and district administration in these temples, which is not in the best interest of people who hold faith in Hinduism.”
