High Court stays Tribunal’s ruling on Bhagya Lakshmi Temple

The Telangana High Court on Friday issued a stay on all further proceedings related to Telangana Endowments Tribunal’s order in the dispute over the founder family status of the Bhagya Lakshmi Temple at Charminar. The next hearing has been scheduled for March 21.

The case stems from a petition filed by a respondent seeking recognition as a member of the founder’s family of the temple and the annulment of an earlier declaration in favour of the appellants. The appellants challenged the tribunal’s decision, arguing that the tribunal had exceeded its jurisdiction by issuing directions beyond the matters under consideration.

The appellants’ counsel contended that the temple was originally founded by Mahanth Ramchandra Das. After his death, his adopted son and disciple, Rajmohan Das, was officially recognised as his successor by the Endowments Department in 1991. In 1996, he was formally declared a member of the founder’s family. Following Rajmohan Das’s death in 1998, the appellants were recognised as members of the founder’s family.

The Tribunal’s recent order had set aside this recognition and directed the Endowments Commissioner to appoint a regular Executive Officer while placing the Assistant Commissioner as the temple’s custodian in the interim. The appellants argued that these directives were beyond the tribunal’s scope and contrary to legal precedent.

Published - February 28, 2025 08:52 pm IST