The High Court of Himachal Pradesh has directed all the Deputy Commissioners in the state in the capacity as Commissioners…
Himachal Pradesh High Court (Photo: SNS)
The High Court of Himachal Pradesh has directed all the Deputy Commissioners in the state in the capacity as Commissioners of different temples, falling under their jurisdiction, to file their personal affidavits regarding utilization of income generated from temples in the last five years.
A Division Bench comprising the Acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel passed these orders on a writ petition filed by Kashmir Chand Shadyal of Shimla.
The petitioner has alleged in the petition that while visiting various temples in the state, he noticed that on account of faith, most temples were thronged by a flood of devotees who liberally donated to the temples, but despite being flushed with funds, there did not exist commensurate facilities for the pilgrims, worshippers.
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He alleged that the funds are being wasted and are neither being utilised for propagation of Hindu religion nor for establishment, maintenance of educational institutions or for training of students, Pujaris.
The petitioner prayed that the directions be issued for utilization of the funds as per the provisions of Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984.
The Court observed that from about 12 temples alone, as per official figures, an income of more than Rs 3,61,43,94,341/- has been generated in the last 10 years.
The Court showed its concern as to whether this substantial amount has been utilized to fulfill the object of the statute, i.e. to protect and preserve the properties pertaining to religious institutions and endowments.
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