Temple properties: India
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Encroachment, non-payment of rent
Tamil Nadu
The Times of India, Jul 02 2016
Dhananjay Mahapatra
Rent trouble for temples pains SC
The Supreme Court decided to intervene in an issue described by the Madras high court as “land of lords in trouble“ and expressed concern over rampant encroachment, misuse and misappropriation of lakhs of acres of temple lands. A bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices A M Khanwilkar and Dhananjaya Chandrachud entertained a petition by one K S Kappusamy for fixing market rent of shops and establishments in the Arulmigu Sellandiamman temple in Perundurai village.
Appearing for the petitioner, advocate K K Mani said Tamil Nadu was known for its temple culture. “But most of them (temples) are gasping for survival as their incomes have steadily declined. Their properties were rented out decades ago for a pittance. There has been no revision of rent.Temple lands have been encroached upon,“ Mani said.
The bench issued notice to the commissioner, Hindu religious and charitable endowments department, Chennai.It said the problem affected most Hindu religious establishments. When Mani said endowment and charity commissioners had done little to ameliorate the poor financial condition of temples, the bench decided to appoint senior advocate Gopal Subramanium as amicus curiae in the matter.
In the Tamil Nadu case, Mani said the HC had entertained Kappusamy's petition but had given general directions which did not help improve the pitiable condition of temples.
HC judge Pushpa Sathyanarayana had said, “The lands of the lords are in trouble! Even gods and lords are not spared. The temples in Tamil Nadu are historic symbols of Tamil history and they are the properties of the community as a whole. But god's money is robbed by the notorious society .
“The tenants and encroachers are defrauding on rents for the temple land which are taken on lease and breaking of hundis, stealing temple jewels, the value of which are immeasurable and the lifting of antique metal icons to other countries are increasing day by day.“
See also
Hindu temples and the law: India
Temple properties: India
