HC puts 2 temples along with properties under management of DM Anantnag

Srinagar, July 11: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has put two temples and their properties under the management of the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, underlining that they are required to be managed effectively and peacefully.
“…The properties vest in the Deity and, therefore, are required to be managed effectively and peacefully,” a bench of Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice M. A. Chowdhary said while putting two shrines—Shri Raghu Nath Mandir and Nagbal Gautam Nag Temple, Anantnag— along with the properties attached thereto under the management of the Deputy Commissioner (District Magistrate), Anantnag.

To preserve and protect these Temples and their properties, the court directed the District Magistrate, Anantnag to immediately take over the management of both the Temples along with properties “if not already taken over”.
“The District Magistrate shall also ensure that the properties belonging to these Temples are restored to the Temples after following due process of law,” the court said, adding, “The District Magistrate may constitute a committee of responsible officers to manage the affairs of both the Temples and properties attached thereto in an effective manner.”
The court also directed that the Petitioner (Mahant Ganesh Dass Ji) as also the newly impleaded respondent may agitate their rights of management before the Civil Court.
“In any such Suit filed by either the Petitioner or the newly impleaded Respondent, the District Magistrate, Anantnag shall be a necessary party and shall be heard in the matter before passing any Order,” the court said, adding, “The final Decree, if any passed by the Civil Court, will govern the rights of the parties vis-à-vis the properties in question.”