TILKAYAT SHRI GOVINDLALJI MAHARAJ versus THE STATE OF RAJASTHAN AND OTHERS

TILKAYAT SHRI GOVINDLALJI MAHARAJ versus THE STATE OF RAJASTHAN AND OTHERS

Nathdwara Temple is a public temple. The Tilkayat is custodian, manager, and trustee without proprietary interest; the Act validly regulates secular affairs. No violation of Arts. 14, 19(1)(f), 25(1), or 26(b), (c), except as to qualifications for the office of Goswami, which was struck down. Application of surplus funds by Board (ss. 28(2),(3)), s.36 and s.37 are valid.

Parties
Appellant/petitioner: Tilkayat Shri Govindlalji Maharaj; Respondent/appellant: The State of Rajasthan; Respondent's Advocate for Respondents Nos. 3 to 5/2 4, Etc.: Sarjoo Prasad; Advocates for Appellants/respondents: A. V. Viswanatha Sastri, Balkrishna Acharya, M. V. Goswami
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
21 January 1963
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeals and Writ Petitions (art. 32/226) / Supreme Court Appeals From Rajasthan High Court Judgment
Outcome
Appeals by Tilkayat, denomination, and Ghanshyamlalji dismissed; Writ petition dismissed; State's appeals allowed in part.
Legal Topics
Public Vs Private Religious Institution, Validity of State Regulation of Religious Endowments, Fundamental Rights Arts. 14, 19, 25, And 26, Secular Vs Religious Affairs, Doctrine of Cy Pres
Constitutional Law Religious Endowments Property Law Public Vs Private Religious Institution Validity of State Regulation of Religious Endowments Fundamental Rights Arts. 14, 19, 25, and 26 Secular Vs Religious Affairs Doctrine of Cy Pres

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Parties

Tilkayat Shri Govindlalji Maharaj

Appellant/petitioner

The State of Rajasthan

Respondent/appellant

Sarjoo Prasad

Respondent's Advocate for Respondents Nos. 3 to 5/2 4, Etc.

A. V. Viswanatha Sastri, Balkrishna Acharya, M. V. Goswami

Advocates for Appellants/respondents

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeals and Writ Petitions (art. 32/226) / Supreme Court Appeals From Rajasthan High Court Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Nathdwara Temple is public or private
  2. 2 Whether the Tilkayat has proprietary or beneficial interest in temple property
  3. 3 Whether the Nathdwara Temple Act, 1959 violates Arts. 14, 19, 25, and 26

Ratio Decidendi

Nathdwara Temple is a public temple. The Tilkayat is custodian, manager, and trustee without proprietary interest; the Act validly regulates secular affairs. No violation of Arts. 14, 19(1)(f), 25(1), or 26(b), (c), except as to qualifications for the office of Goswami, which was struck down. Application of surplus funds by Board (ss. 28(2),(3)), s.36 and s.37 are valid.

Court Disposition

Appeals by Tilkayat, denomination, and Ghanshyamlalji dismissed; Writ petition dismissed; State's appeals allowed in part.

Orders

  • Sections struck down by High Court (2(viii), 16, 28(2)(3), 36, 37) restored except section 30(2)(a) (qualifications for Goswami) which remains struck down.
  • Parties to bear own costs throughout.