In Brief
In 1901, Thoppulan Chettiar executed a deed dedicating property for charitable activities in reference to Sri Renganathaswamy temple, including distribution of water and millet porridge to devotees during Hindu festivals. The trust sought civil court permission to sell a portion of the property to invest proceeds for continuing the charity. The Supreme Court held that the deed created a specific endowment under the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959, being a public charity associated with Hindu religious festivals. Therefore, the civil court lacked jurisdiction; only the Commissioner under Section 34 of the Act could authorize alienation. The suit was dismissed, though the trust could pursue the statutory procedure.
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