Supreme Court: State cannot accept gift of temple land, only custodian

The case concerns whether the State Government of Tamil Nadu can accept a gift of temple land from a temporary trustee, with the core issue being if such alienation is valid under the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959.

Who it concerns: Appellants: K. Ramalingam and others (devotees); Respondents: Government of Tamil Nadu (represented by its Secretary), the temporary trustee (S. Bhoopathy), and the hereditary trustee; Bench: Justice Alok Aradhe.

What the court decided

• The Court granted leave to appeal.
• The Court noted the State's affidavit admitting the land belongs to the Temple and that the Gift Deed cannot be sustained.
• The Court observed that the State agreed to cancel the gift deed and take the land on lease/rent.
• The Court noted that a fair lease rent of Rs. 13,235/- per month for three years was fixed by a committee.
• The Court stated that the administration of religious property carries a duty of preservation, not unfettered disposition.

Also in the document

• The judgment is marked as 'Reportable' (2026 INSC 1144).
• The State filed an affidavit in 2022 admitting the land is 'INAM Land' belonging to the deity and agreeing to cancel the gift deed.
• The High Court had previously dismissed the writ petition, holding that 'gift' is not explicitly prohibited in Section 34 of the 1959 Act.