HC stays Kullu Raghunath temple takeover by govt

Shimla: The Himachal High Court on Monday stayed the operation and execution of the notice whereby Maheshwar Singh was requested to hand over all temple properties that is movable and immovable, temporary and permanent fixtures ,structures and devices. As well as stock, stores and cash including cash books to the Chairman of Raghunath Temple Trust Sultanpur, Kullu .

A division bench comprising the 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 Maheshwar Singh and Danvender Singh.

The petitioners has alleged that temple is a private property and is in ownership and possession of Maheshwar Singh and the same is note 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 next hearing will be now on 11 August.