The Himachal Pradesh High Court today stayed the take over operation and execution notice of Raghunath Temple by the state here today.
On July 25 the state cabinet had decided to take over the temple and form a Trust and sent notification on July 26.2016 directing the care taker and former BJP MP Mr. Maheshwar Singh to hand over all the temple properties including movable and immovable.
The notification said that Mr. Maheshwar Singh should submit the details of all temporary and permanent fixtures, structures and devices as well as stock, stores and cash including cash books etc to the Trust Chairman formed by the cabinet.
The bench comprising Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Chander Bhusan Barowalia further made it clear that in the interregnum, no further action in terms of the notification for taking over the Raghunath temple shall be taken. The Court passed these orders on a writ petition filed by the Sh. Maheshwar Singh and Danvender Singh.
The petitioners has alleged in the petition that temple is a private property and is in the ownership and possession of Mr. Maheshwar Singh and the same is not amenable to the provisions of Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act 1984 and any action purported to be taken without jurisdiction.
The notification and notice are politically motivated and the proceedings have been undertaken behind the back of petitioners. The petitioners have prayed from the Court to quash the notification. The court had now listed the matter on Aug 11, 2016.
