In Brief
The appellant, representing the idol of Sri Renganathaswamy, challenged the sale of trust property by Ramanuja Koodam Anandhana Trust. The property was dedicated by deed in 1901 for charitable activities during Hindu religious festivals. The Supreme Court held that the Deed of Settlement created a specific endowment under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act 1959, as it was a public trust (benefiting devotees at large) associated with Hindu festivals. Consequently, the civil court lacked jurisdiction; only the Commissioner could permit alienation under the Act. The appeal was allowed, the suit dismissed, but the trust may pursue the statutory procedure for sale approval.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.